When it comes to putting your home on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help determine a realistic selling price, your agent can provide you with an up-to-date competitive market analysis. This analysis can include:

• A review of comparable homes that have recently sold or are currently for sale
• An estimation of the average length of time homes have been listed in today’s market
• A review of homes whose listings have expired, to identify any potential issues that may have impacted the sale

When potential buyers step into your home, are they impressed? Do they feel inspired? Keep in mind that purchasing a home is an emotional decision, not a logical one. Here are some tips to help ensure that your home makes a positive impact on potential buyers:

• Fix any small issues, such as squeaking doors or cracks in the walls, to make the home appear move-in ready
• Keep the house clean and uncluttered for showings
• Brighten up the space
• Consider the curb appeal of the home, as the exterior is the first thing potential buyers see

In addition, it may be worth taking care of major items, such as having the house painted. While offering an allowance to the buyer for painting may seem like a good idea, it’s not the same as having the work done before the sale. Potential buyers may discount the price even further due to the appearance of less-than-perfect walls.

Remember, a house that presents well is more likely to sell for the best price because it outshines the competition.

The first step in your marketing plan is finding an agent that will represent you effectively. To do so, compare the knowledge and approach of various agents, asking each to demonstrate how they will market your home to buyers. It’s important to compare the amount of money each agent spends on advertising, the media they use (newspaper, magazine, etc.), and the effectiveness of one medium over another. Remember, it’s not just the amount they spend, but how they spend it.

Avoid real estate agents using outdated, traditional methods to sell your home because they may not work in today’s market. To be competitive, it’s essential to work with agents who use new and innovative, non-traditional marketing approaches to sell homes quickly and for top dollar.