Simple Steps To Selling Your Property

Selling your property can be daunting, but if you follow some simple steps and find a great REALTOR®, you can come up with a strategy that will to not only keep your expectations at bay but that is also based on data and market trends.

STEP 1: FINDING THE RIGHT REALTOR®

Many people compare finding the right Realtor® to finding a lifelong friend or a therapist. A Realtor® will help you sell one of the most expensive assets you have (if not the most expensive); so finding someone you trust is crucial. A Realtor® that knows his/her craft will give you a thorough analysis of the market and will base his/her analysis on concrete numbers, trends and predictions. In addition, the Realtor® will make sure to stay in communication with you throughout the process and have a specific marketing plan in place. Remember that the best Realtor® is not necessarily the one that charges the least, but the one you know will do the best job based on their expertise and work ethic. It is ok to interview a few agents to make sure you find the one that fits your needs best. Need guidance to sell your home? Visit www.mynestsa.com and an agent can help you right away.

STEP 2: GETTING THE HOUSE READY

You can follow some simple steps to make sure your property is ready to sell. Your Realtor® might have additional tips but below are 10 simple steps to get started:

● Declutter; pack what you can and store it in a closet or garage so it looks

organized

● Clean baseboards, blinds and AC vents

● Touch up baseboards and door frames with matching paint where needed

● Store personal items including photos and anything of value

● Clear items off kitchen counter tops and other surfaces (bathroom counters and

night stands, shower and bath items.) Baskets are recommended for quick storing

during photos and showings.

● Clean and fresh scents are recommended (Fresh linen scent is popular among

model homes)

● Power washing driveway and back patio

● Fresh mulch on all flower beds (black mulch stands out better in pictures) and

remove any dead bushes or plants. Replace with fresh ones or cover with mulch

as well

● Clean glass doors and weather doors and refinish front door if worn

● Mow lawn

● Have a spare key ready for the listing team to put in your lock box

● Always clean after your pets, especially before showings

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As Realtors® we get many questions during our listing consultations. Below are our top 5!

1. Q: What is the best time of year to list a property

A: Generally speaking, early Spring (March April), Early Summer (June) and Early Winter (October, November) are great times to list a property. Mostly because people tend to relocate before the start of a new school year or semester. However, the best time to list is also what best fits you as a seller. A good Realtor® will be able to guide you on how long you can expect your property to sit on the market depending on the time of year you need to list based on your relocation plans.

2. Q: Is it better to list a property vacant or with furniture?

A: Furniture helps people get a better sense of room dimensions, so many times what appears to be a small room is not actually small once furnished. There are times, however, when an impending relocation forces the seller to move before listing. If this is the case, Realtors® might recommend some staging if rooms show better furnished. Options like virtual staging are also available to give buyers examples of what rooms look like with furniture in them. Traditional staging can be expensive, so as long as this option will help you reach a quicker or faster sale it is usually not recommended. A trusted Realtor® can make that recommendation.

3. Q: Should I have the carpets professionally cleaned?

A: It depends. In properties with pets, it is generally recommended to have the carpets cleaned and keep the pets off carpeted areas once they have been cleaned. The main reason to get carpets cleaned is to eliminate odors and stains that might cause buyers to think the carpets might need replacement; which could affect how much buyers offer for a property. If carpets are in great condition and no odors are present, a good vacuum tends to be sufficient.

4. Q: Can my pets be present during showings?

A; If you can take your pets with you, it is recommended for pets NOT to be present during showings for multiple reasons:

- Buyers might be scared of pets and not have an enjoyable showing experience

- Buyers might not consider the home due to pet presence (smells, urine stains, etc.)

- Buyers experience might be affected by barking or an overly excited animal

- It can be a liability if a dog bites or a cat scratches a buyer

- Pets get very stressed

- Buyers might accidentally let pets out of the property and pets might go missing

If you cannot take your pets with you, it is always recommend to kennel pets out of sight and make sure to let your Realtor® know so he/she can alert showing agents. It is not recommended to leave pets in the yard either, because buyers always want to take a look at outdoor spaces. Remember to clean after your pets.

5. Q. How restrictive can I be with showings

A: It is important to remember that the more you show your property, the possibility for offers increases . Restricting showings too much will close the door to buyers that have limited time to see properties. If other properties like your property are available, restricting showings will put the competition ahead of yours. Usually allowing showings during the day is best. A 1 to 2-hour lead time is also very reasonable and cutting off showings after 7pm is also expected. 24-hour lead times as well as only allowing showings during a few hours during the day is usually detrimental to selling a property quickly and for top dollar