For over 20 years I have been in the design and home improvement industry. I have had the pleasure of working with many realtors, brokers and investment firms as well as public. I decided to pass on my knowledge and what I have learned about how to hire a realtor and negotiate a better rate, but also if you should fix up your home before you sell it.
- The first thing you need to decide is how to sale your home.
- one way is to market and sell it yourself.
- But for the best result, hire a reputable realtor in your area who knows your market place and knows how to advertise effectively to sale your property.
If you decide to hire a realtor here are some tips how to save money.
- When interviewing a realtor asked them upfront how much commission they and their broker charge, also if they are the broker who represents you and the buyer are they willing to cut their commission rates?
- A motivated realtor and broker whom want your listing will cut their rate to get your business.
- Find out who pays the closing cost, for most part both buyer and seller share the closing cost. Negotiate so the broker pays your share of the closing cost once the house is sold. These two steps alone can save you thousands of dollars.
- Find out how they will be marketing your home.
- When picking an agent find out how many homes they have listed in your area and sold in the past six month. This will give you a gauge of how capable they are and how motivated they are to sell your home fast.
- Ask who will pay for you inspection and appraisal fees and if the answer is you, then try to negotiate for broker to pay for it.
- Truth of the matter is the only thing you have in common with a realtor is the fact you both want to sell your home. It’s up to you to be assertive in trying to save and get as much money as you can.
Now that you have negotiate with the realtor it’s time to decide if you should fix up the house.
- Look at your financial situation and think about why you are selling your home.
- Do you have any equity?
- One of the deciding factors is to look at the comparable home that has sold in your neighborhood.
- If you are asking top dollar for your home you need to make sure your house has the same appeal as other home that has sold in your neighborhood.
- If your home needs improvements you may sell it as is and hope for the best. The down part is your home may sit on the market for a long time.
- You might also decide on giving credit or reducing the price to sell the home as is.
- Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Would you buy this home when there are so many homes to choose from with better condition?
- You have to look at your home as a product and you need to make this product as attractive as you can to a buyer.
How much should I spend?
- The answer to this question is the least amount possible.
What areas of my home should I improve upon?
- I am sure you have heard this term before, and there is a program on HG TV, called curb appeal.
- First impression is the most important.
- Make sure your lawn is trimmed and groomed and the trees and bushes are not out of control. You also want to make sure your tree and bushes are not hiding any architectural attribute, and they are not blocking natural light when looking from the inside out.
- Your screen door and front door need to be in good condition and if need be, paint the door.
- Make sure your kid’s toys and bicycle and skate boards are not all over the lawn.
- The kitchen and the bathroom are the most important part of any home for a buyer.
- If your kitchen and bathrooms are old and tired you don’t need to remodel, all you do is paint or re stain the cabinets or change the doors on the cabinet and put new knobs and hinges. If you can afford it install new counter top and change the faucets to give your kitchen and bathroom a brand new look at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen and bath.
- The paint on the walls are very important, you need to make sure the walls are clean and don’t have your kids hand print or stain. If need be you should paint the walls and make sure it’s a warm neutral color that is easy to decorate around for the new buyer.
- Flooring is as important. If your carpet has stains or if your cat and dog have had an accident in the house don’t waste your time trying to clean it. Depending on how old the carpet is you won’t be able to get all the stain and smell out. Change the carpet in a warm natural color, if you can afford wood floor that will be great or for lesser cost you can install laminate floors. Hard surface always adds to the value of your home and it also makes it look bigger and buyers love it.
As always I hope this information is helpful, for more information about how to get your home ready to sell you can email us at info@urbanhomedesignllc.com or call our office 949 588-9300 for a free in home consultation.
In my next blog I will talk about how to stage your home. You can also look for other blogs on different product and services on our website. Urbanhomedesignllc.com.
Best Wishes,
Urbanhomedesignllc's Blog 