You may think that your house is the only thing that needs to be in its best shape during the selling period. But the truth is, how you are as a seller holds an equal amount of importance to your potential buyer. They may like the house, but if they don't like who’s selling it, they probably won’t push through with the purchase. So, to ensure that you are also at your best behavior while your house is on the market, take note of the following guidelines: 1. Stay away. We know that it's still your house, and you have every right to stay in it. However, if you’re trying to show it to its potential new owners, you may want to keep yourself from hovering over their shoulders. Let potential buyers properly envision themselves living in your house without you watching their every move. Of course, the best way to do this is to let your agent do the tour on your behalf. This way, the viewers of your home can be more comfortable looking at the house and asking questions, and you on the other hand will also be spared from possibly saying the wrong things that can jeopardize a sale. Listing agents are trained to respond professionally to buyers, so just sit back and relax somewhere else, and let your agent do the talking. 2. Make your parking space available. When leaving the house for the viewing, make sure that you bring your car with you as well. Parking issues can cause delay and turn off buyers, so make sure that you're off to a good start by making sure they have a place to park their car. Let them pull up in your driveway as if it’s their own. 3. Don't leave your pets. Yup, your pets have to go, too. Your dog may be great with sporting some puppy dog eyes, but this isn't going to help you sell your home to potential buyers. Some buyers may be allergic to certain types of animals, or some will simply find pet smells off-putting. Some DO love animals, but you also don’t want your pet to draw attention away from the home. Just take them with you during the viewing, or ask a kind neighbor to babysit them for you. 4. Make important documents available for viewing. Since you won't be there to answer the questions yourself, you can at least make it easy for potential buyers to find the answers in writing. Making necessary documents available leaves a good impression on buyers since it signals that you are a responsible owner and seller. Put out important documents such as your home inspection report, appraisal, and home warranty. You can also give them an idea of their potential monthly bills by leaving recent utility bills and proof of any major repairs. 5. Don't be in a hurry to get feedback. Not all buyers express their dislike or even their enthusiasm during or immediately after the viewing. Some of them need to think it over and process everything they just saw. Remember, this is possibly one of the biggest purchases they'll ever make, and buyers need enough space and time to come up with an offer. Asking them for their feedback right after they leave your home can make them feel that you're pressuring them too much into a decision. It is normal practice to ask for feedback from your realtor after the viewing, but expect to hear from the buyer's agent no earlier than 2 days. Simply assure them that you are patiently waiting for what they have to say, and that you respect their space and time. 6. Trust your agent. Never forget that your agent is a trained and experienced professional--and, if everything goes well, he or she will be able to close a deal for you and be handsomely compensated for it. If you're sure you've found a responsible and reliable agent, just relax and let him do his job. Allowing your agent the space to negotiate on your behalf is good practice and will ensure that the transaction goes smoothly.

Before you can be honest with anyone else, you have to be honest with yourself first. The first step to effective communication is knowing what YOU truly feel and what you really want to say. Before talking to an agent, be sure that you are 100% ready to sell your home. You don't want to make impractical decisions, so you need to ask yourself the difficult questions. Make sure that you're selling your home for the right reasons, and not just because you're under a lot of pressure to upgrade or to relocate. Ask yourself if it is indeed a more logical choice to sell right now, or should you actually wait a while until you're sure that you're truly ready. When communicating with your agent, transparency is key. Once you sign an agreement with your agent, he or she has the legal obligation to represent only your interests in all negotiations, so it's very important that you disclose every detail. In order to identify and leverage your home’s strengths (and address its weaknesses without compromising the final sales price), your agent needs to know everything there is to know about the sale--such as your reasons for selling, potential problems the house may have, the time frame in which you expect to sell, etc. Likewise, if you think that your agent might be keeping his/her reservations to him/herself, or if you sense some apprehension, you are within your rights to ask for disclosure. Note: If your reason for selling is quite sensitive (say, you and your spouse are going through a divorce), you can ask your agent to keep this private. When working with a listing agent, you'll have to communicate A LOT--most likely on a daily basis. This makes it very important to maintain a healthy professional relationship at all times, and the best way to achieve this is to establish a communication plan with clear and healthy boundaries. Set your preferred methods of communication and manage your expectations when it comes to getting responses. If you’re better reached through your mobile number instead of email, make sure that your agent knows. Communicating on so many different platforms makes it hard to track your progress, so try to find one (or two at most) in which you can be sure to reach each other more effectively. Also, this may not be an issue for highly motivated sellers and agents, but some people do not want to be called at unreasonable hours. If you’re the type of person who is comfortable being updated only between certain times in the day, then it’s best to say so early on. This also goes both ways; even though you’re paying for your agent’s services, it’s proper etiquette to set a window for phone calls and texts. If this is the first time you're faced with the challenge of selling your home, there may be a lot of information to process. If you’re not sure about all the real estate jargon being thrown around during discussions, don’t hesitate to clarify with your agent. This will ensure that you’re both on the same page at all times, and will prevent misunderstandings that can delay the sale of your home. It's hard to keep emotions in check when you’re trying to sell a home you’ve lived in and loved for a long time--which is why if a potential buyer offers below your listing price, you can get offended quickly and end up dismissing a reasonable offer. Sure, the asking price is usually an area of conflict between the seller and his agent, and it’s no secret that some agents have the tendency to encourage sellers to settle for a lower price than what was originally expected. However, don’t jump into the conclusion that your agent is not on your side. Ask yourself (again, honestly) if your emotions are causing you to become slightly realistic about how much your house is worth. If your house has been sitting on the market for a while now, this may be a sign that you’ve priced it too high--and that waiting for more offers might drive the price down even further.

Homeownership is beautiful and rewarding. It gives you the freedom to add any renovations you like and turn your home into your safe haven. However, if you're even considering selling your home in the near future, then you have to be very careful in deciding what improvements you’d like to add to your home. While there are certain features that could greatly increase a home’s resale value, there are also home improvement projects that can be detrimental to it. Most of these renovations, if made permanent, can bring extensive damage to the home. Also, your definition of improvement may not be the same to many buyers. When it’s already time for you to sell, these projects could reduce your potential buyers and even force you to lower your asking price. Unless you’ll never want to move, relocate or downsize in the coming years, then you should avoid making these renovations before putting your house for sale. Consult with your experienced real estate agent on what items will have a potential impact on the saleability of your home. After all, owning a home isn’t only about fulfilling that American dream and having your personal place — it’s also an investment to you and your family’s future. A bedroom turned into another space or bedrooms merged to create a larger room Combining two bedrooms to create a much bigger room, or turning a bedroom into another permanent living space, such as a home office or a huge master closet, is a common mistake that homeowners make. However, removing a bedroom is definitely the number one home improvement that could lower a home's value. The number of rooms in a home can actually make or break a sale because buyers always want the maximum number of rooms available in a home. Merging two small bedrooms to create a bigger one might seem a good idea for young couples and empty nesters, but if you plan to sell after a few years, then it’s a wrong move. Most buyers with families want their children to have their own rooms, or want to use a spare room as a guest room or an extra storage space. The right fix: Instead of knocking down walls to create a bigger room, try to make your bedroom space look bigger by using lighter colors and putting in modern, slim furniture. If you opt to transform a bedroom into a master closet or a home office, make sure that the room can be easily restored to its former state when you put your property on the market. Avoid installing permanent desks, cabinets or any alterations that potential buyers might see as a waste of space. It’s important to keep all options open for buyers without them spending money to undo any renovations you’ve made.   Too much wallpaper Homeowners often put up wallpaper to show off their favorite patterns in their home, but this design choice could be a bit overwhelming when it’s already time to sell. Yes, wallpaper can be removed, but the task can be quite challenging and will require a lot of time and energy, especially if there is too much throughout the home.   The right fix: If you do have wallpaper all over the home and you’re planning to sell, it’s a good idea to remove the wallpaper and repaint the walls in neutral colors before making your house available for showings and open houses. This way, potential buyers will never need to think about how much time and effort they will have to put in order to remove the wallpaper. It could be a deciding factor especially for someone who wants a move-in ready home, or someone who wants to put in their preferred patterns. A fresh coat of paint will also help convince buyers more than any of those patterns and other decorations.   Wall-to-wall Carpeting New carpet looks great at first, but it can quickly show signs of damage compared to hardwood floors. Today’s buyers may cringe at the idea of having wall-to-wall carpeting in a home. It’s because not only is carpeting expensive to purchase and install, but there’s also a growing health concern over its potential for allergens. It can be a serious concern for families with children, especially those who have allergies. Carpeting is also not recommended for buyers who are dog or cat owners since carpets can easily be clawed and ripped off by these pets. Besides, carpeting still comes down to personal choice. Your favorite color and style may not be as appealing to prospective buyers as it is to you. Because of these problems, it may prove difficult for you as a seller to recoup the costs because you may end up spending thousands of dollars to install it, only to have it removed because buyers don’t want it. The right fix: Recent studies have established that people nowadays will pay more for bare floors, so removing carpeting and restoring hardwood floors can be a more profitable investment. Carpets can easily wear out and show signs of damage compared to solid or engineered wood floors that are more durable. You may incorporate the style and colours you want in your floors by buying patterned rugs instead.   Removing closets Homeowners make a big mistake when they remove a closet in order to make room for another upgrade, such as a larger bathroom or bedroom. This seemingly innocent renovation can definitely hurt a home’s resale value since people would prefer to have enough storage space. Oftentimes, people will walk in the house and count the number of closets per room, and it’s a major inconvenience if they notice there are no closets. The right fix: There’s probably no better recommendation than to retain your closets as it is. A spacious closet is what most today’s home buyers want, and knowing that they have enough storage space will definitely have a positive impact on the sale of your home.   Built-in Aquarium A built-in aquarium is certainly a fun, entertaining and fancy addition to a home. However, it requires constant maintenance, can be costly to remove and can become an eyesore if it’s not maintained properly. Potential buyers may not want to pay for the upkeep costs needed for a built-in aquarium, especially if taking care of fishes isn’t something they prefer. The right fix: If you really love to keep fishes, it’s best to settle for a standard fish tank to add to your home. Besides, you can easily relocate it whenever you decide to make changes to your room arrangement.   A garage turned into another space Getting rid of a garage and permanently turning it into another living space can make a home less appealing to many. It’s because most people don’t want to get into their car while it’s sweltering hot in the summer or while it’s covered in snow during the chilly winter, so they’d prefer to put a roof over it. Renovating a garage into a gym or an extra bedroom might seem like a wonderful idea for fitness lovers or parents whose child moved back home, but it can definitely lower a home’s value. Most people will look for a garage — not a gym or an extra living space  — and want it to house their cars and serve as storage for their items. At least 81 percent of home buyers even indicated they want a garage storage in their potential home, as reported in a 2016 survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The right fix: If you’re going to turn your garage into another living space, make sure that future homeowners can easily and inexpensively restore it back to its primary purpose. Make sure that any renovations you make can be removed without too much trouble.   Hot Tub Hot tubs are great for relaxation after a tiring day at work, but installing a built-in hot tub can be risky because of many reasons. They take up space and need constant maintenance. For homebuyers with little children, it might be considered a safety hazard and a waste of valuable space. Plus, strangers may associate hot tubs with germs and other unpleasant things. Potential home buyers may be put off because they may actually consider a home with a hot tub less desirable, or they may offer less money because getting rid of it can be quite costly. If you’re thinking of installing one before selling so that it can make your home more valuable, it’s probably wise to think again. Hot tubs generally don’t add to the home’s value and could even lower it. But of course, there may be an exception if you meet a buyer who considers a hot tub to be a top feature for his/her home. The right fix: If a hot tub is one of your must-have features for your home, consider a portable tub instead of installing a built-in one. That way, you can potentially take it with you once you move or it can easily be removed if the new homeowner doesn’t want it.   Expansive landscaping Well-maintained landscaping and other lawn enhancements can dramatically improve the home’s curb appeal and eventually, the overall value of the property. Not to mention that a beautiful yard can certainly encourage potential buyers to take a look at your home. However, homeowners who went overboard with their landscaping may be in for a big risk. Many of today’s buyers, especially Millennials and Gen X-ers, may be deterred by its need for ongoing maintenance. Potential homeowners don’t want to see themselves working tirelessly under the heat of the sun, or don’t want to shoulder the additional costs of hiring a gardener to do the work. Your gardening tastes may be different from most buyers anyway, and any decorative additions you add to your yard are pretty much based on your personal choices. A home with an extensive landscape, if not properly maintained, can become an eyesore that may hurt the property’s value. The right fix: While the importance of curb appeal and a beautiful garden can’t be underestimated, it’s probably better to keep your yard nice and simple but easy to maintain. Buyers will appreciate it more if the yard looks beautiful but doesn’t require countless hours of work. Add new attractive plants that don't require too much trimming or maintenance, repaint your fence, and remove any overgrown weeds and bushes. Also, don’t forget to only use decorative items that can be easily removed, especially when it’s already time to sell your home.   Any over-personalized renovations and fixtures It’s totally understandable that homeowners want to put in personalized touches in many fixtures of their home, such as in tile, sinks, and countertops. However, personalizing your home too much can also be a big mistake once you decide to sell your home. Some of the permanent renovations you may be obsessed with, such as quirky tilling or any eccentric patterns, may turn off a lot of buyers who don’t like your taste and may view the renovation as something that needs more effort and money to replace. The right fix: Remember that any over-personalized renovation can hurt the value of a home, especially if it’s something permanent like tiling. To avoid spending thousands of dollars on a mistake that may cost you too much when it’s time to sell, consider going with a traditional white tile floor or anything with neutral colors. Then settle with a rug or any decorations that can be easily replaced but still shows the style you’re going for.   Bottom Line: Being a homeowner means you can modify your space in however way you like and you can practically do anything to make it feel more like home. However, there’s no harm in thinking twice before investing in any costly renovations or over-personalization that can eventually decrease your home’s value. Before starting any renovation projects, review your market, consult with your real estate agent, and see what upgrades have the best potential to increase your home’s value. You also need to make sure that any renovations you make are completed with the proper permits so you can avoid potential issues when it’s time for you to sell.

Just like any sale, both the buyer and the seller have their own rights in making a home purchase. Are you knowledgeable about these? Don't get into a deal just yet if you don’t know your rights! In investing in a property, you must be familiar with your own legal advantages and limitations, and always remember that the seller has his/her own rights as well. Before anything, be sure you know what you're getting into! Before closing any deal, you must know what it means to make a “sale.” Legally, this means that one party (seller) is transferring property to another party (buyer) for a price. This price may be paid in full by the buyer upon entering the agreement, or the buyer may have promised to pay in full when he/she gets the rights to the property. Another case would be making partial payments: partial payment upon agreement (a down payment), with a promised partial payment that will complete the deal when the property has been fully transferred from buyer to seller. Now that you’ve made a deal, remember the rights the law provides you. 1. The seller kept something about the property from me, can I do something about it? If the seller didn't disclose something about the property, you should look up the local guidelines for this. Laws on disclosure depend on the state, and may even vary among cities. For example, some states allow a sale even if the seller didn’t tell you that the house you’re buying was once used to manufacture illegal drugs. In another state, though, this will not be tolerated. 2. I'm not sure about the Home Owner's Association (HOA) contract, so I don't think I want the property anymore. Can you walk away from a deal if this is an issue? Yes! But this will depend on a date specified in your contract. There is a law that protects the buyer from any disagreements about the HOA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. But keep in mind that there's a specific time for you to check and read through these documents, and this time frame is different in every state. Make sure to check the grace period in your state when you make a deal. 3. My current home isn't sold yet, but I already want to make a deal on my dream home. What can I do? You wouldn't want to be stuck paying two mortgages, so what are your options? Try making an offer with your seller that is dependent on the sale of your current home. A deal like this gives you the option to back out from the deal within a fixed period. You must know, however, that a contract of this kind still gives the seller a choice to back out at any time another offer comes in, especially if it doesn't have a contingency clause. If in case this happens, don't worry--you still have time (around 72 hours) to remove the contingency and make a deal with the seller. 1. I accepted an offer, but I still want to look at my options. Can I still do this? Yes, you can still look at other offers, but that doesn't mean you can accept them in place of the contract you already agreed to. What you can do at this point is to make another interested buyer take the "backup position." If your first deal doesn't go well and fails for any reason, you can automatically take the deal with the second buyer. 2. The buyer's financing is unstable. Can I back out? Yes, especially for the following conditions: - If the buyer's financing fell through before your closing date, you have the right to walk away. - If you see the buyer's loan terms will affect you negatively, you have the right to refuse the offer. 3. The house appraisal doesn't match the contract price. Can I stop the buyer from opting out of the contract? Definitely. If the house inspection raised issues your buyer is not prepared for, you can shoulder the cost for your buyer to continue with the contract. If it's a matter of appraisal that is less than your offer, don't panic about the possibility of the sale falling through. If the lender allows it, you can give the buyer the option of paying the difference in cash. If not, have the buyer shoulder some of the seller's closing costs instead. It is worth noting, though, that lowering the price is often the best solution--since a higher appraisal isn't a guarantee when you decide to go with a different buyer (not to mention the hassle of having to sell the property again).

Whether you are buying, selling, investing, or simply enjoying being a homeowner - there's no reason why you wouldn't want your house to be in its best shape.. For buyers (especially first-time home buyers), you may already have a list of the features you want in a home, but it would be great to consider adding the following to your list just to be sure that you can sell your home at a great price in the future. For sellers, knowing what features in your home you can use as leverage for a better price will help you take fair advantage of your most powerful selling points. 1. Huge master suite The master's bedroom is the ultimate private space in a home, so if it’s made in tiptop condition, both home buyers and sellers will be at an advantage. If you’re a seller, consider having this room remodeled, but try not to overdo it so that you can still leave space for imagination (what furniture potential buyers can add, how they can decorate it according to their tastes, etc.) It doesn’t really have to be as huge as an executive hotel suite with a California King bed -- as long as there’s enough space to move around and make the homeowner feel really good about coming home. 2. Beautiful landscape A home’s “curb appeal” will continue improving a home's value—and, by extension, the overall value of properties in the neighborhood where it is located. The curb is where the first impression about the home (and even the neighborhood!) is made by potential buyers, so if you’re a home seller, you can improve your curb appeal without spending a ton of cash by simply adding new attractive plants to your landscape, repainting your fence, and cleaning out overgrown bushes. These don’t cost much and it would definitely enhance your home and entice your buyers. If you’re thinking long term, consider investing on having your yard professionally landscaped with mature shade trees to match. This may take several years and upkeep, but it could be a big selling point. However, a beautiful landscape will require some amount of maintenance, otherwise it's going to end up being an eyesore that may negatively impact the home's value. For home buyers, a curb that’s in good condition is an indication that the seller takes care of their home. So if you see it in good shape, that’s a good sign. 3. An extra guest bathroom To a lot of home buyers, bathrooms are a HUGE deal. While two is a suitable number, an extra bathroom can add tons of value to a home and attract more potential buyers. However, this doesn't mean that home sellers should spend an average of $25,000 just to build a new bathroom before selling. According to the NAR, new bathrooms only return an average of 60 percent of their costs at sale time -- so if you're about to add a bathroom just for the sake of raising the price a few weeks before listing your house for sale, think twice because it may not be worth it. On the other hand, if you're a buyer, you're in luck if the home you're interested in happens to have an extra bathroom that isn't located inside the house's private rooms. You can use this as an additional selling point once you decide to list your home for sale. 4. A functional porch or patio A house’s porch or patio adds visual interest to it and is also a spot where family and friends can cook, have meals, and relax. Home sellers can add in a nice table and chair set or a grilling station (or both, if you have the budget) to suggest functionality to buyers. Buyers, you’re probably going to sell the home too at some point (to relocate, upgrade, or downsize) so take note of this tip for future use! 5. Multi-purpose rooms Extra rooms which can be turned into a home office, a playroom, a TV room, a guest room, or any kind of room depending on the home owner's preference is sure to add value to a home. These rooms, which are also called flex rooms or double-duty rooms, are growing popular with today's home buyers. This is because multi-purpose rooms make a house more functional, and is great for people with telecommuting jobs and indoor hobbies. The possibilities a multi-purpose room presents can make a house an instant hit to almost any kind of buyer. You can use this to your advantage as a seller by clearing out one room in your house and offering suggestions on how a certain buyer can make it their own. 6. Stainless steel appliances Stainless steel appliances will assuredly be for the long haul, and the best thing is: It never goes out of style! Do take note, however, that some stainless steel appliances may not look good in some areas of the house (it depends on the color of the walls and other appliances), so you may want to limit this to the kitchen. 7. Walk-in closets Having a spacious closet as one of the features of a home adds to the value of it and enhances every room in the house that has it. The idea of having enough storage will make a positive impact on home buyers. 8. Original wood floors Engineered wood flooring is replacing carpets now as the new trend. It’s long-wearing, durable, and gives off the illusion of more floor space. Instead of the usual structural plywood, wood floors nowadays are made of a thin veneer of real wood or bamboo. This costs less but has the same look. 9. Efficient technology such as sprinkler systems and green-tech additions Sprinkler systems, when used properly, help on cutting down waste and minimizing the inconvenience of pulling a hose or sprinkler around the house. Of course everybody wants their yard well-watered to maintain and showcase their lush green lawns, so you can assume that home buyers would add built-in sprinkler systems to boost the value of the house. 10. Well-maintained attic or basement rooms Make sure that the attic or basement room has a stairway in good condition, interior walls, adequate insulation, as well as windows for air, daylight, and emergency egress. Having these spaces in good condition adds in to the functionality tab of the house because there are a handful of ways it could be of use to a family -- whether it be an extra room, a study, storage space, or laundry space.

  1. Overpricing and underpricing Perhaps the most common mistake home sellers make is pricing the house too high because of an array of reasons: the house means so much to them, they're looking to buy a more expensive home or trying to pay off debt, or they believe that interested buyers will ask for a discount anyway. But this can't be farther from the truth. In fact, a ridiculously overpriced house will perform poorly in the market because it will soon lose its appeal once it stays in the market for more than three weeks. In pricing your home, it’s important to be as realistic and as conservative as possible. Seek out an experienced real estate agent and allow him or her to guide you in choosing the correct price of your house for sale. Don’t worry if you think the suggested price is a little low; homes that are priced below market value often receive numerous offers, which will then encourage a bidding war and drive up the price. Keep in mind, though, that a house that is priced too low also has its dangers. Don’t assume that this strategy will work for you 100 percent since a lot of low-priced houses were purposely priced that way to drive activity. These homes are usually in great locations and at their best conditions. If your home isn’t exactly the best catch and isn’t located in a sought-after neighborhood, then you’ll have to be very careful in pricing your house too low as well. Again, it is best to seek the help of a professional appraiser and real estate agent. 2. Analyzing the competition Reasonable home prices are set when a seller performs an accurate comparison of homes in the market. Comparable sales, better known as “comps,” is a term that refers to homes that are similar to yours in terms of size, condition, and features, and are located in the same area. When setting a price for your home, appraisers will look at recently listed comps in the same neighborhood, and by recent, this means not older than three months. Unless your property is in a rural or very low-density area, you and your appraiser may have to check homes that are outside the usual mile radius. Still, an experienced appraiser knows that not all homes with the same number and sizes of bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens will have the same price. Houses on the same street can vary immensely from each other, and it's important to understand the nuances in the market and know how they can affect the price of your home. For example, a house that is right down your street could actually be in a different school or tax district, which can either make it cheaper or more expensive than yours depending on which area is more desirable. A house that is the same size as yours that was listed at 10 percent more than your selling price could be because of specific features that address a particular need of the buyer. Modern additions such as “green updates” that allow homeowners to save on electricity can also affect the value of a house for sale. Remember, to “compare apples to apples,” you must dig deep into the reason why a particular house is priced as it is. 3. Hiring a real estate agent and appraiser It might be a little difficult to decide on a selling price without bias, especially if this is the first time you'll be selling a house which you’ve spent a good amount of time calling your “home.” While it is ultimately up to you (the seller) to set the final price, a good real estate and appraiser will help you arrive at a suitable price range based on their expert assessments. While there are no price restrictions in place that require you to price according to the market condition or current inventory levels, it will be to your benefit to discuss matters with your real estate agent and appraiser so that you can be sure to arrive at an informed decision. These professionals know that pricing is mainly about supply and demand, and that it is an art as much as it is a science. To find the perfect balance between important factors, it is crucial to seek advice from a expert who is experienced in dealing with all kinds of transactions. Still, it is important to note that realtors and appraisers are not exactly the same. Realtors aren't entirely unbiased since their main objective is to sell, while appraisers are state-credentialed valuation professionals who are required to follow a strict process in order to come up with an impartial opinion. So how do you know if you priced your home just right? Even if you follow all the important guidelines mentioned above, it may still be hard to know for sure if you arrived at the right price until all transactions have been completed. If a home sells after just a few days on the market, chances are the price was too low. If it takes months before a potential buyer takes interest, then it's probably overpriced. The best way to know whether the price is right is if your home gets steady action throughout the course of the listing period. If your house is listed at the right price, be prepared for numerous negotiations and be sure that both you and your agent are always on the same page. If you hit the right mark, the rewards will surely be lucrative and your house will sell at its optimal price.

Preparing for a home inspection definitely pays off in the long run, and you don't even have to shell out tons of cash for it. You just have to make sure that the process goes smoothly for the inspector so that you can have a well-standing report for your potential buyer. Take note that professional home inspectors check for all issues in your home, both in the exterior and interior parts of the house. It also includes recommendations for fixing and improvement, as well as pointing out safety issues that you may not even be aware of. You can choose to see this to your advantage because it lets you be aware of problems in your home and gives way for transparency between you and your buyer during the transaction. Here are five mistakes you wouldn’t want to be guilty of as a home seller, as well as how to prevent them: “I did not prep the house for inspection!” First, you have to remember what the inspection is for: It's for you and the buyer to know what needs fixing in the house. You can’t “pass” or “fail” an inspection, and it is for your benefit as much as it is for the buyer. If you know that major parts in the house such as the roof or the floor are not in good condition, do take note in your agreement that you are going to have it fixed, whether it's you or the buyer who will shoulder the expenses. Though in most cases, it’s the seller who pays for major fixtures. However, that doesn’t mean that you can just leave the house that you’re selling as is! There are several things you can do to prepare for inspection without even spending. For one, make sure that your pets are secured and not running around the house. Also make sure that utilities are on, and that your lights bulbs are all working properly. Ensure that there are no locks on gates and doors that need to be accessed, namely the doors to your attic, crawl space, etc. Remove the panel cover from the electrical panel and the furnace cover from the furnace, as these need to be checked. And lastly, make sure that remote controls for amenities could be easily identified (suggestion: label them) so that inspectors know which one is for which. Inspectors prefer that the owner of the house is not inside of it while they conduct the inspection, so you need to do these things mentioned in order to make sure that the process goes smoothly for them. “I underestimated minor fixtures.” You may choose to ignore minor fixtures but remember that when they pile up, they can make a big difference on the impression of both the house inspector and your prospective buyers with regards to the house that you're selling. Remember: The inspector will take note of ALL the issues in your home, even the tiny ones. If you have tools, you can definitely fix some of these minor fixtures on your own. Check for broken door knobs, sockets, light bulbs, and rusting and sagging gutters. Other things you can examine is possible leaking under the sink and around faucets, and if electrical outlets, smoke detectors, and toilet flushes are working. Also, test your garage door if it correctly reverses against pressure. If you get a headstart in fixing minor fixtures, your house will have a better chance of looking good to both the inspector and your potential buyer. “The house was so messy and full of clutter!” You don't want to have your inspector remove your dirty laundry from your washing machine or your dryer. Take care of those before inspection, as well as other unnecessary stuff that could obstruct ease of access throughout the entire house.  Also, make it a point that your oven and stove top are clear and clean so that the inspector can test them without setting off the smoke alarm. “I tried to conceal defects — to no avail!” Home inspectors are professionals. They are trained to spot defects no matter how good you manage to hide them. They may even take note on their report that you did, so it's best just to be honest. Don’t take the risk of losing your buyer’s confidence. Keep in mind that the home inspection is not a warranty since the home inspector is only there for a couple of hours, without knowledge of the home and its systems of being built — so he/she has no idea about any quality control processes. One way to address this is that you file all the reports and receipts on the maintenance and repairs that your home has undergone, including annual or semi-annual inspections or repairs for your furnace, roof, chimney, etc. If you've had an insurance claim on your house, keep those documents together, too, so you have proof that you took care of the issue. “I skipped home inspection!” Possibly the biggest mistake any seller can make regarding home inspection is skipping the process entirely. Your buyer will have it inspected anyway, and this may leave you with little or no time to address the issues on your own time and budget. It's always better to have an inspection prior to negotiations, or a pre-listing inspection. This is a win-win for you and your buyer — and will save you from a lot of trouble and inconveniences in the long run. By having your home inspected early, you can prep your house better and be more confident in selling it at the price you want, and the buyer will be at peace knowing that the home he or she is buying is in its best form.

For-Sale-by-Owner, more commonly known as FSBO (pronounced “fizbo”), is used to describe a homeowner who is selling their property without the help or representation of a real estate agent. This kind of transaction is commonly seen in the seller's market. The most common reason why homeowners attempt to sell on their own is that they want to save money or maximize their profit by not having to pay for real estate agent commission. However, in the NAR 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, FSBOs remain at an all-time low of 8%. Home sellers continue to work with real estate agents to sell their homes, as statistics remain at historical highs of 89 percent. There are many reasons why FSBOs fail in real estate, especially if a seller doesn’t know how to price his or her home correctly, or if property inquiries were handled inefficiently. Here are the top reasons why we think FSBOs don’t actually work, and why it is best to hire a real estate agent who can help with the selling process. 1. They fail to properly screen potential buyers One of the biggest reasons why FSBOs don't actually work is because most homeowners don’t know how to properly screen potential buyers. Many sellers don’t know the right questions to ask to ensure only qualified buyers are walking through their home, which could save them from wasting countless hours and effort. The first thing they should know is whether the potential buyer is pre-approved, which can prove their capability to purchase the home. Also, if you decide to FSBO, there are other people you must be prepared to negotiate with, not only the potential buyers who want the best deal as possible. Some of those people include the buyer’s agent, the buyer’s attorney (if needed, in some states), the home inspection companies which work for the buyer, the appraiser, and sometimes even your bank, in case of a short sale. With the help of a realtor: Potential buyers can be properly screened and accommodated. An experienced real estate agent will recommend the buyer to talk with a licensed mortgage consultant to know their capacity before the buyer insists on viewing the home. He/She can also negotiate on behalf of you and will act as a messenger for both sides so they can properly communicate their concerns and preferences about the property. 2. They aren't always available to handle property inquiries If you decide to FSBO but have a full-time job, who will handle the incoming property inquiries throughout the working day? Oftentimes, the homeowner doesn’t always have the time and availability to handle property inquiries and showing requests. Homebuyers and buyer agents mostly want a quick response to their inquiries, so it’s possible that they will proceed to the next potential property if their concerns were not accommodated immediately. With the help of a realtor: The buyer's inquiries on the listings can be handled appropriately. Realtors can prioritize those inquiries and can coordinate and schedule the showing requests to accommodate all potential buyers. Furthermore, buyers can also be quite pressured when the seller is around, as they couldn’t speak openly about the property without worrying. Real estate agents will let buyers have space so they can view the house on their own. They can also share some insights and stories about the neighborhood while showing the house, which could greatly help buyers decide. 3. The home may be priced incorrectly It's common for FSBOs to price their home too high, which could decrease the chances of the home getting sold. This is one of the biggest reasons why FSBOs fail in the market. Most sellers only use a free home valuation tool to set a price for their property, when actual market knowledge is needed in pricing a home for sale. Likewise, FSBOs generally sell for less than the selling price of other homes. FSBO homes were sold at a median of $190,000 last year, and was significantly lower than the $250,000 median of homes assisted by agents. There’s a big $60,000 difference, so to speak! With the help of a realtor: The correct listing price of the home can be determined. Real estate agents do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to provide an accurate home valuation. They will know how to price your home right so as not to turn off potential buyers or leave money on the table. 4. They have limited marketing FSBO sellers can't post their homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is the number one source for sellers to list their home and a database where both buyers and sellers can view thousands of listings. Certainly, some websites allow sellers to pay to market their properties, but those websites don’t get as much traffic as the MLS. Sellers may also place an ad in their local newspaper, but it may even cost them more without attracting the necessary audience. Another typical FSBO method of selling a home is putting up a yard sign, which on its own is very limited. With the help of a realtor: The home can be listed on the MLS, as only licensed real estate brokers and agents can list homes on the MLS online. And unlike FSBOs, they have the tools and the necessary expertise to provide tons of market exposure to a home, whether it's online or in their local area. Most realtors have a comprehensive marketing plan and an internet strategy to promote the sale of your home. They can also promote your house to fellow agents, who can also share it with their clients. 5. Homes take longer to sell/homes stay on the market for longer FSBOs take longer to sell in the market than most agent-assisted homes unless the seller already knows someone who wants to purchase the home. In the NAR report, at least 58% of FSBO homes were sold in less than two weeks — more quickly than homes listed with an agent — often because these homes are sold to someone the seller knows. Most of the time, FSBOs were unable to sell because they can't get the selling price right. And when a home stays on the market for a long time, it’s more likely that buyers will assume there’s something wrong with the house, the neighborhood or location, or its pricing. With the help of a realtor: The home can be listed on the market with the correct price and can have proper exposure for it to be sold within the average of three weeks. It goes without saying that the home can even be marketed to potential buyers that the seller doesn't personally know. 6. They don't have a full understanding of a real estate contract Real estate contracts can be confusing and extremely difficult. Most sellers don’t have a strong understanding of a real estate contract and don’t know how to negotiate specific parts of the contract with potential buyers. With the help of a realtor: The real estate contract can be handled properly and professionally. A realtor can significantly negotiate specific parts of the contract and could address any possibilities or contingencies included. 7. Can't handle the daunting and tricky task involving paperwork The paperwork involved in buying and selling a home became more daunting and tricky as industry disclosures and regulations have become mandatory. Understanding and performing paperwork is one of the most difficult tasks for many FSBOs. The closing process itself can involve lots of pages of complicated paperwork, including the contract itself. Some states also require addenda that are designed to cover specific conditions regarding the property. A seller who doesn’t know the required paperwork in their local area and state can also be open to lawsuits. With the help of a realtor: The necessary disclosures, paperwork and documentation will be handled properly. Letting the agent handle the complicated paperwork can also help alleviate the legal and financing stress for both the seller and the buyer. The agent can also provide much-needed advice and support throughout the process. Bottom LineBefore you decide to put up a “For Sale” sign in front of your yard and take on the challenges of selling your house on your own, take the time to talk with a real estate professional in your local area and see how they can help you.

You might be dreading the idea of improving your home because it might cost you a fortune. Don't fret! This list will enlighten you that simple and easy measures which you can do yourself will make a big (and positive!) difference in your home. You can ask your agent how to stage your home best, but it won’t hurt to get a headstart on making your home as presentable as it may be – without having to spend thousands of dollars. De-clutter – Making your place organized and free from clutter will give your potential buyers a good impression of you and your home, and what's great about it is that it won’t cost you a cent. Start by clearing unnecessary items not just from easily visible spaces in the house but also in closets so that your clients can have a good idea of how much storage they could have. Hide signs of pets – Your client may be a dog or cat lover like you, but thick animal stench can still be off-putting for them when they’re trying to purchase their new home. If possible, ask someone to babysit your pets while potential buyers view your house. Make sure to stow away litter boxes, remove pet-related stains, and fix damages on furniture or any part of the house that have been caused by your pets. Arrange your furniture – Don’t overlook the small details! Even the simple act of reducing chairs on your porch will make your space look bigger and more presentable. Another thing you could do is to move furniture that obstructs entryways. Stage your house in a way that makes it more welcoming for potential buyers. Depersonalize your home – Make your house as base as possible, save for a few wall clocks and tasteful art. You want to make sure that your clients have plenty of room to visualize how they could make the space their own, and it’ll be hard for them to do that if you have too many photos of you and your family hanging on the walls. Upgrade your curb appeal – Again, small details can make or break your chances of selling your house. And when it comes to marketing property, it’s crucial that you make potential buyers fall in love with it at first sight. And, the first thing your client sees when they go to your house is your curb – so a swept walkway, nicely mowed lawn, and well-placed shrubs will make a really great impression. Add visible storage – A place for storage will always be a useful feature for your house. Hidden storage also helps, but visible ones will assist your clients’ visualization of where they could keep their stuff in place. Paint your walls and ceilings – This will surely brighten up your home and make it look clean. Take note that it’s always better to have your paint in neutral colors than in bold ones. Make your space look spacious and elegant by going with light colors such as white and beige. Change bulbs – In line with painting your walls, better lighting also makes for a brighter space which makes your house instantly appealing and inviting. Spruce up your kitchen – The kitchen can often make or break your chances of selling your home, and the best way to upgrade it is to make sure that things in it work properly. You can start out by adding new cabinet handles, updating lighting fixtures, and replacing faucet sets. Boost your bathroom - Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is what most buyers tend to be meticulous about. Spruce it up by cleaning your tiles and replacing your toilet seat.

You may get the idea that selling your house would mean reaping lots of cash, but it is good to be reminded of the costs that you still have to settle as a seller before you start making plans on what to do with your estimated profit. Several factors can affect the cost of selling your home. It would be wise to factor in these costs beforehand so that you can have a precise estimate of your profit come settlement. As a seller, you should also clarify with both your agent and the buyer's agent which fees are customary and which are not. Here are the standard fees associated with selling a house: 1. Realtor's commission – While this fee is negotiable and varies within markets and property values, it usually takes a big chunk off the selling price, generally amounting to 5-6% of the sale cost. Some arrangements may require you to pay a flat fee, where you and the agent will agree on a fixed price for the sale of the house no matter how much the property sells for. Take note that this fee is split between your agent and the buyer’s agent. You may opt not to hire an agent to sell your house, but keep in mind that the realtor’s responsibilities would cost you money and much of your time, too. Professional agents would also have better access to information on your market and contacts to prospective buyers. 2. Closing costs – This string of fees could be split between the buyer and the seller based on agreements from both parties, but you can expect to pay 6-10% of the house’s sales price upon settlement. Closing costs for sellers vary according to where you live but what the seller usually shoulders are the title transfer fees, notary fees, and escrow expenses. The closing costs could also include outstanding balances from property taxes and mortgage fees. You may also need to pay for a prorated share of the water and sewage bills. It is worth to take note that – unless you are selling with very low equity --  payment for closing costs will not be coming directly from your pocket but would instead be deducted from the profit of selling your home. 3. Home repairs – For your house to have a high market value and to look appealing to buyers, you may want to present your home for sale in its best condition possible. Do not skimp on repainting and having a second look on the functional spaces of the house (such as the kitchen and bathrooms) if ever something needs repairing. 4. Inspection fixes – If the buyer’s home inspection detects major faults in your house such as sewage leakage and roof issues, you have to be ready to cover these costs. 5. Marketing – Your agent may recommend a marketing campaign that includes online listing and physical posters. You will have to pay for these costs which include professional photography, the creation of a floor plan, and press advertising.

Selling your luxury home means selling one of your most important investments. The task may be more difficult and daunting than selling a mid-priced home, especially since luxury home buyers have a specific taste for high-end homes that will greatly suit their lifestyle. That's why it is important to take the proper steps to ensure your luxury home is sold in a timely fashion and at its best market value.   1. Price your home right In whatever market you're in, pricing a home correctly is extremely important. However, pricing a luxury home is even more challenging. Custom features, upgrades, high-tech automation systems, amenities and even the outdoor view vary from one home to the next. Consider the dangers of overpricing, or even underpricing it. The luxury price range of homes also vary per region. Pricing your luxury home competitively from the very beginning will attract more buyers and won’t let it sit on the market for too long.   2. Hire a realtor who has extensive knowledge of the luxury home market Hiring a real estate agent who is also a local luxury home expert could be for the best if you are selling one of your most prized investments. Your chosen realtor should have a comprehensive marketing plan/system that they can use in promoting your home. Ask whether they have a team of other agents who also work in the luxury market and can help him/her promote your property to potential and qualified luxury buyers. Know whether the agent has other listings in your specific neighborhood, as proof of his/her expertise. It may also help if the realtor and his team have a custom website where they can also feature property listings.     3. Use professional photos/videos and utilize effective marketing Using amateur photos in promoting your luxury home is a big no-no, especially if you decide to promote it publicly. In the NAR Real Estate in A Digital Age Report (2016), 44% of homebuyers in this digital age looked for properties online first, so it’s a no-brainer to use quality photos and videos when presenting your home online. In taking photos of your luxury home, greatly consider the lighting, photograph your home’s best amenities and custom features, and highlight its exquisite location and the panoramic view surrounding it. Most local MLSs also have a limit on the number of photos you can showcase online, so a professionally-created video or a virtual tour could be an advantage in selling your property. A virtual tour could give potential buyers a “walkthrough” of your luxury home.   4. Present your home’s location and lifestyle correctly Luxury homes are all about lifestyle and location. Utilizing a video or virtual tour is also a great marketing tool as it can accurately portray the location and lifestyle your home provides to its future owner. Prospective buyers would want to know if the home not only suits their preferences, but also the lifestyle it portrays. It is important for them to also know who else is living in the vicinity.   5. Consider the right timing when selling your home Timing plays a large role in selling your luxury home and showcasing its feature amenities. It’s important to select the correct time of the year to sell, and to consider the current luxury housing market. For example, selling a home with a luxury waterfront and resort-style infinity pool in the middle of a cold and stormy winter may not seem to be the best idea. The same goes for listing in areas with weather events that may not complement the house’s features.   6. Clean, declutter and stage your home Staging any home before selling could definitely help, especially in million-dollar luxury homes. Some luxury homeowners enlist help in keeping their home clean, so staging could be the only thing that’s needed. The luxurious amenities in a home should be showcased to help potential buyers envision themselves in it. For an instance, a magnificent formal dining room should be staged with elegant dinnerware to help buyers visualize having their fine dining and memorable parties.

When the house you're about to sell is in a location that’s not entirely ideal – meaning it’s placed near main roads with heavy traffic or it’s susceptible to pollution due to proximity to factories or airports – it could negatively affect your market value. But keep in mind that all hope is not lost – here are a few ways you can sell your property. 1. Find a good real estate agent. A good and experienced real estate agent can give you sound advice on the measures you can take in order for you to sell the house with as little cost as possible. He/she could also present your house to clients in positive ways that you might have overlooked. 2. Direct potential buyers to the most attractive route to your house. Help them find the most interesting areas around your neighborhood. When you give directions, mention nearby shopping areas or parks as landmarks. 3. Boost your curb appeal. A nicely mowed lawn with lush grass and plants and a clutter-free yard will surely send out a good impression on your clients even before they get their foot on your door. 4. Spend as little as you can on home improvements. Let's face it: there’s a big chance that a buyer would ask you to lower your price, and if you splurged on unnecessary home improvements, that could lead to a big loss on your part. Here’s a list of cheap home improvements you can make to sell your house fast. 5. Find the best time of the day to schedule open houses. If your house is in the same street as a school or a string of commercial properties, don’t have your clients come to your house at a time when the traffic of people and cars are at their worst. Schedule your open houses wisely so you’d have more time to prepare. 6. Use problem areas to your (and your client’s) advantage. You can’t certainly hide the problem areas from your clients, but you can turn the tables (or you can brief your agent) by telling your clients how these could benefit them. For instance, if your house is near a school, you can tell them that this could help them keep a closer eye on their kids. Or if it’s situated in a busy streets with a lot of traffic and activity, home break-ins would be least likely to happen. Here's a bonus tip of you really need to sell the house quick: Give concessions. If the neighborhood is really not in top shape, some buyers would ask for compromise – they could ask you to lower your price, or to shoulder most of the closing costs. Discuss with your agent just how much concession you could grant without selling yourself short.  

If you have been wanting to sell your house for a while but just couldn't get into favorable conditions, 2018 is an opportune time to sell it. Here are the top 5 reasons why: Reason #1: Low inventory If you know about the concept of supply and demand, you'd know that when something is in short supply, its value tends to increase. The REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey showed that low inventory in the homes for sale has been a major issue affecting transactions. This puts sellers in a position of advantage because as the number of homes for sale is low, the value of those that you could put up for sale will swell. You could also take note that Historical NAR data shows that housing prices appreciate by 5% when supply falls below 6 months. That means that you could expect the median prices for housing to be higher. Reason #2: Stronger job market It’s the American dream to own a house, and there’s a list of gains that a homeowner has such as tax credits, equity building, and just the simple but joyful experience of finally having a house that they can call their own and customize to their heart’s desires. These advantages will be more appealing now that consumer confidence has risen. This is caused by a decrease in unemployment and an increase in wages.  These favorable conditions may propel buyers to invest in the housing market. Reason #3: Strong demand for housing Based on the responses reported in the September 2017 REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey, buyer conditions were rated “stable” to “very strong” in all states. In the midst of low interest rates, rental appreciation, improving job market, and the general confidence in the economy, the demand for buying houses is strong in this time. There has also been a reported decrease in the expected number of days it takes to sell homes. In September 2017, it took just 34 days for properties to stay in the market. Reason #4: A spike in housing prices As mentioned in the previous passages, short supply tends to result in an increase in value. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as real estate values have increased over the last two years. According to NAR, the median price of single-family homes sold in August 2017 is $255,550, which is 5.6% higher than a year ago. If you’re a seller whose property value dropped during the recession, you could benefit from these high housing prices. Reason #5: Renting is becoming less affordable Another thing that could benefit you as a seller is the rising rent prices. According to NAR, over the years, and in many parts of the country, specifically in the Northeast, South, and Midwest regions, it’s cheaper to buy a house than to rent one. This drives buyers to opt for owning a property rather than to have their money put into something that would not build their equity.

Staging your home helps you build that memorable first impression for potential buyers. You have to showcase your home's strength and downplay its weaknesses. Staging is also especially important in slow markets with high inventory and many competing homes. Heed these simple yet effective staging tips that may just help you close the sale. 1. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter Get rid of your old items and things you don't necessarily need. Give yourself a rule that when a new thing comes, the old one must go. Organize your shelves to show off how much storage you really have, as prospective buyers love homes with lots of storage spaces. Clearing away your clutter will definitely help make the house look tidier and bigger. 2. Place a Welcome Mat An enticing entrance is key when you're luring prospective buyers. A new welcome mat that complements the style of your home can easily convince them to see more. Remember, first impressions are always important. So adding fresh potted plants to an entry area could also create a relaxing atmosphere on the way in. 3. Swap Personal Photos with Artwork Replacing those personal pictures of yours and your family with pieces of artwork will help your potential buyers envision themselves living in your home. You can opt to buy paintings of landscape scenes, modern shapes or floral motifs at thrift shops to create a focal point for your home. You can also print out inspirational travel images to display a certain lifestyle.   4. Refresh With Paint Put a fresh coat of paint in white or neutral colors to give new life to outdated doors, walls, and casing. It will make the house look cleaner and more contemporary. 5. Give Importance to Home Lighting The secret to a great staged home that looks warm and welcoming is great lighting. Nobody wants to go in a house that projects a dim vibe just because it is improperly lighted. Increase the wattage in your lamps or fixtures and put them in key areas. Also open up windows and curtains to let the sunshine in and naturally brighten up the whole room. 6. Group Furniture Away From Walls Move away from the common idea that rooms will feel larger and be easier to use if all the furniture is pushed against the walls. Instead, reposition sofas and chairs into conversational groups and place pieces of furniture away from the walls. It will help make the space more user-friendly and make the room seem bigger. 7. Transform Old or Unused Rooms Repurpose an extra room into a space that will certainly add value to your home. You can turn that old junk room into a mini library with a comfortable reading spot by placing a bookshelf, a comfortable armchair and a small table. Or turn it into a yoga room or a mini entertainment hub. Either way, it will help the potential buyers envision the room with a special purpose that will suit their lifestyle. 8. Recycle Your Resources Look for ways to salvage old materials to save money. Repurpose old junk and turn them into something new and useful, like making headboards out of old doors or turning strips of hardwood flooring into new fences. 9. Arrange Decorative Displays and Group Them into Three's Assembling classy and colorful displays, such as vases, lanterns, books and other decorative items, atop dressers and counters could give your house a cozy and relaxing look. It will also increase the room's general appeal. Arrange them in odd numbers, preferably in three's, and in varying heights and shapes, while keeping them in the same color family.  You can also try to mix and match items from craft stores to create a unique but modern look. 10. Decorate the Bathroom with White Linens Tidy up your washroom by using white towels, bath mats and shower curtains for that clean and elegant look. Take it a bit further by creating spa-like displays, such as adding candles, fresheners and special soaps. Stack hand towels neatly near the sink and complement it with other accessories. 11. Refurbish the Kitchen The first thing to do when staging your kitchen for homebuyers is to keep the countertops nice and clear. Put only a few items as displays, or center a bowl of fresh fruits or a vase with flowers to add a touch of color. If you can't afford new doors or cabinets, refresh the old ones with paint that match your kitchen walls. 12. Tend Your Yard and Improve Your Curb Appeal Curb appeal is important when attracting buyers, so bring out a nice color into your walkway that will make it more appealing. You can also grace your yard with potted plants and flowers in bloom, depending on the season.

Whether it is your starter house or you've done it before, selling your home is one of the most stressful events in life. In fact, surveys found that selling a property is seen as more stressful than buying one. You can expect a lot of pain, anxiety and frustration as you go through the process. You may be dealing with solicitors and paperwork that seem to have no end. However, staying focused and positive as you navigate through this challenging phase is important. Take a deep breath and consider these simple yet useful ways to help you deal with the stress of selling your property. 1. Hire a realtor to sell your house. When you hire a licensed real estate agent in your area, you have every right to certain expectations and requirements. The realtor will guide you through various business arrangements that will help you be at ease. Avoid hiring a relative or a friend to list your home at all costs, as it may add more tension in between. The process of listing and closing is tough enough without you worrying about any personal relations being affected. 2. Declutter your home. Even before listing your house, get rid of the things you don't necessarily want to keep once you move. It will eventually help you clean and tidy your place. Never leave the dishes in the kitchen, keep up with the laundry and vacuuming, and clean the bathrooms thoroughly. If this is too much of a task for you, you may consider hiring cleaning help during this transition period. Keeping things tidy will help lessen the stress when you get a quick call from your realtor for a house showing for potential buyers. 3. Take a day trip or plan a vacation. You may not consider it at first, but planning that vacation as soon as you list your house will work wonders. It is because the first few weekends your house is on the market is typically when it is going to get the most action. Plan a day trip or an all-day activity, such as a visit to a museum or a weekend getaway. If you are not living there, your realtor can schedule open houses and showings at any time of the day. You don't have to drop everything to get out of the house for an unexpected showing. Think of this time as an investment on your personal well-being by getting your mind off the house sale for a bit. 4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways to manage stress when selling your home is adapting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of exercise and sleep, eat healthy foods and drink more water. Walk for an hour every day or take your kids to the park and have a valuable time together. Those extra efforts will keep you physically and mentally healthy despite this tedious process. 5. Prepare as much documentation as possible. Selling a house definitely involves a great deal of paperwork. Sometimes you’ll need to be ready to present all those documents at a very short notice. Preparing the necessary documents will save you tons of work and time as the selling continues. Get in contact with your solicitor, find your mortgage documents, and be certain you have copies of title deeds and other necessary papers, including energy performance certificates, planning permission documents, gas safety inspection certifications, and others. 6. Accept the facts and be flexible. According to HealthStatus, any disruption of your routine causes stress. Moving disrupts the entire family, and you also have to deal with the packing. The longer your house is on the market, the more pain and frustration you will need endure. Even after all the cleaning and preparations you've done, always remember that selling a house takes time. There’s a strong chance that your home won’t sell on the first open house so remember to have realistic expectations. This could help alleviate the stress you're already experiencing. Stay positive and trust on your realtor and the value they've provided to your home.

As much as personal recommendations from friends and family are revered when it comes to real estate recommendations, people nowadays turn to the Internet for reviews including real estate agent prospects. Consumers have become more critical, and they want to get as much bang for their buck, so that means getting a good review on your service will upgrade your chances of scoring clients. Here's a list of websites you can use: Zillow is specifically made for real estate agents, and you get to have separate star ratings for several aspects like your negotiation skills, process expertise, local knowledge and responsiveness.  Take note that the site gets a whooping 124 million visits per month! If you take this into account, it's safe to say that getting your share of leads through this site will be high. Included in the Zillow group websites that advertise realtors are Trulia and StreetEasy. Why it's good for you: The site has a feature that lets you be a Zillow Premiere Agent through which you can promote your listings, generate buyer and sellers leads, and even advertise on Facebook. This comes with a fee, but it gives you the benefit of exclusivity – you’re the only agent promoted on the page when you submit your listing, as opposed to not getting signed up as a Zillow Premiere Agent wherein other agents will appear on your listing – and wider reach, because even if you don’t have a listing of your own yet, you get to advertise on the local listings by non-Zillow Premiere Agents. What to watch out for: If you ask your clients to give a review, they would have to make an account in Zillow which might prove to be a hassle. Also, they do not have a clear description of how they filter reviews so it is likely that you might get a bogus review for your work. Another problem that clients encountered with Zillow is that home prices listed on the website are not always accurate. Yelp is a broad review platform which allows its users to give their take on restaurants, schools, and even realtors. The site has been around for a while, and it's been re-designed as a social networking site where reviewers can connect with fellow reviewers. Why it's good for you: Yelp is easy to use and navigate; you won’t need to stress over learning how to use a specialized website. Another great aspect of the site is that they try to ensure the integrity of their reviews through screening it first before posting it. It filters the bogus reviewers, and if one does come up in your page, you can request to have the review moved. What to watch out for: The robot that they’ve created for the website to filter reviews works on its downside too – their faulty algorithm could have half of legitimate and helpful reviews buried. Trulia helps its users not only find their home but it also helps them find real estate professionals such as brokers, agents, mortgage brokers and lenders, appraisers, and property managers through its extensive agent directory.   Why it's good for you: Now that it’s owned by Zillow, you can have a wider reach. It also allows you to send a client listing report so that your clients can know how you’re featuring their home on Trulia. What to watch out for:  There were complaints by realtors mentioning how Trulia promised them with leads from zip codes where the housing market was “hot,” but the site failed to deliver them this promise even after they have purchased leads.   Realtor a site dedicated to real estate which enables their users to look for listings, to know details about mortgage, and to find realtors. Why it's good for you: Realtor.com has real estate articles popping out of google searches for when someone wants to know more about buying and selling property. And they almost always have a link on those articles leading to finding a realtor on their website. They also have rating categories for real estate agent’s attributes such as market expertise, communication, professionalism, negotiation skills, and responsiveness. What to watch out for: Some buyers may veer away from properties posted on this site because of the lack of information that could be featured on the site such as crime rates within the area. They also don’t feature photos of the property as much as other websites do. You can say that Facebook is oversaturated with all sorts of things, or that it can distract people away from your property. This is true to some extent, but it's also the first thing people check when they open their phones so the market is assuredly big. Why it's good for you: You can make your page as easily as you can have it noticed since everyone is on Facebook. You can pay to have your page advertised (it’s actually cheaper than you think!) or you can opt to have your friends and family share your page and have you easily connected to a web of people who could be potential clients.   What to watch out for: If you do use Facebook as a website for getting clients, it’s advisable to have other websites in tow – specifically websites which are mainly used for selling property - since Facebook may cause limitations in terms of presenting the full range of what realtors have to offer.

You might have expected that your house would sell for exactly what you set the price for, and a buyer making an offer for much less could be pretty frustrating. So what exactly makes for a lowball offer? Typically its 25 percent or less below list. But with all things being unequal, what makes an offer a lowball may vary from market to market and price range to price range. You could know off the bat when an offer is just downright ridiculous, but it's still best to not let your emotions get the better of you and consult with your agent because they might have a better gauge and understanding as to how offers go. It’s tempting to block off further negotiation with buyers who make such offers but remember to keep your calm because after all, you are engaging in business. It could be that your buyer may have just gotten bad advice from people around them on how they should price their offer, so it’s still advisable to keep communication lines open. The offer may have not started on the right foot, but tables can be turned if you just know how to negotiate. Don't waste your time thinking how you might be perceived. Consider all offers with a cool head and you might end up with a good deal. You can have your agent ask the buyer’s end on their reasons for making an offer lower than the asking price. Knowing their answer could actually be beneficial to you; you could view your property using a different lens. Are there parts in the house that needs fixing? Has the house been for sale for longer than the ideal time? Knowing the answers to questions such as those would help you evaluate just what you need to improve on it so that it could look more appealing to the market. A trusty and experienced agent could spot when a buyer – despite making a low offer – is smitten with the house and are willing to raise their offer. If you're going to make a counter offer, it’s best to present it with data such as a market’s list-to-sales price ratio. Also, you can have your agent make a written document containing the best comparable homes to yours. Include the following statistics from two months ago to the same measurements today: a.) Number of similar homes on the market. b.) Number of similar homes sold and closed since the listing’s inception. c.) Number of listings that expired unsold. d.) Number of pending transactions. e.) Number of new similar listings (your competition) with the data sheets and pricing By knowing all these information, you would have an wise estimate on the lowest and highest price you can expect.

If you're about to sell your home, having it in top shape will definitely up your chances of getting it sold quickly. It shouldn’t just be about making it look beautiful; you have to consider functionality as a major aspect in a buyer’s decision. A buyer will most likely have a professional home inspector check for faults in your home, so it’s advisable for you (with the help of your agent) to address problems beforehand. 1. Paint – Doing this will instantly revamp your home, and it's one of the most cost-effective methods into making your house look appealing to buyers. Light-colored, neutral tones make your rooms look more spacious and it also makes it look as if it’s blank canvas, where your buyers can help picture how they want it to look once they move in. 2. Kitchen – The kitchen is one of the most functional spaces in a home. You don’t have to stuff it with new appliances to make it look like a dream kitchen, but just make sure to address problems regarding usability. Leaking faucets and old sinks must be repaired, and the dishwasher or range that is out of shape should be replaced. Also check if hinges or tracking in your drawers and cupboards need fixing. 3. Flooring – No one wants to live in a home with sub-par flooring. Buyers prefer hardwood floors, so if your house has that and it’s in good condition, make sure to make it known by removing carpeting. But if you don’t, there are a number of low-cost options such wood plank tiles or highly upgraded laminated flooring. 4. Bathroom – Just like the kitchen, the bathroom is a very functional space in a home. Check for leaky faucets and if necessary, replace caulking in the areas like shower, sink, and toilet to help in keeping the moisture out. Also keep in mind that making it clean goes a long way. Have the toilet as white as possible, and have your grouts steam-cleaned. 5. Roof – If your roof is in bad shape, it’s advisable to cater to this before you set your house up for sale so that renegotiation and price reduction won’t be on the table once a buyer makes an offer. 6. Exterior – Your curb is where buyers get a first impression of your home. Include fences in your paint job, patch up cement cracks in sidewalks, and resurface asphalt driveways if necessary. If you have extra cash to spare, add in bright flowers and plants to spruce up your curb. 7. Lighting – The lights sets the atmosphere of the home – the brighter they are, the more enticing and welcoming your rooms will look. Make sure that lights are working properly both on the exterior and interior of your home. Don’t forget to check if your switches work, too! 8. Air conditioning and heating systems – As mentioned previously, your home may most likely be subject to a house inspection so it’s good to get ahead of them and take care of minor repairs. Having this in top shape will definitely give you an advantage over other sellers. 9. Plumbing – Your house may look good in terms of its aesthetics but if there’s problems in the practical aspects of the home, buyers might step back. You can tend to minor fixtures yourself but if you want to be assured that the plumbing is in a good condition, hire an expert to inspect and fix. 10 . Knobs – They may seem trivial but buyers could be critical of everything. If something as basic as a door knob is not working, buyers might think that the more important parts of the house are not working too.

Before putting your house on the market, make sure that the exterior of your home has the best chance of passing the standards of even the most meticulous visitors. It may seem like a daunting task, but don't be overwhelmed. We made this complete checklist to help you get the job done.

Putting up your house for sale puts you in a place of responsibility as the owner, because of course; we all know that earning profit is not that easy. But rest assured that after this experience, you will have gained more skills, insights, and tricks! 1.     Do your homework: research on the price range of properties in your area – Doing this saves you from overpricing or under pricing your house. Look into houses within your area that are of similar feature to yours in terms of lot size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and parking capacity. If you have time to spare, visit these homes yourself during their open houses. Checking competition will also help you evaluate not just the right price for your home, but also things that you could improve on your house to make it look more marketable. 2.     Make your house market-ready – With all the available (free) information for everyone today, buyers have higher standards in choosing a house. They may have envisioned the perfect home on their mind through browsing magazines or photos on Instagram or Pinterest, and it would be of an advantage to your property if you at least try to make it look as if it's straight from their dream. If you’re willing to spare extra cash and effort, you could hire a team of professionals composed of a home stager, landscaper, painter, and handyman. Just make sure that you account these expenses for your final pricing. No budget? You can opt to go DIY. Also, the cheapest way to make your home market-ready is to make sure that it’s clean and free from clutter at all times. 3.     Hire a reliable agent – You shouldn’t just hire an agent from a pool of names and faces listed in your directory; ask trusted friends for referrals on agents and interview them before hiring. Ask the right questions to your prospective agent so that you know how selling your house will be handled. 4.     Have a professional inspect your house before pre-listing – Buyers might make their offer contingent upon certain inspections such as pest and septic, so it might be a good idea to hire a professional home inspector in order to tend to the issues you may not have spotted on your house. Ask for a detailed report from your home inspector and have them include photos for proof. 5. Any season is a peak season for selling a house, except winter – As most people are busy with Holiday errands and out-of-town, out-of-country trips and social gatherings, there wouldn’t be much buyers on the hunt for houses. You could put your listing on hold until spring comes, but if you’re taking your chances, you could still try during winter, as there are also fewer sellers. That means less competition! 6. Prepare necessary documents – Your agent will notify you of the necessary documents needed once the selling transaction begins. This may include documents on title of property and outstanding balance on mortgage (if any) & pay-off balance. Gathering these documents ahead of time will ease the way for a faster transaction. 7. Yup, it may not sell like hot cakes – Despite countless preparations (including the emotional one) and seeing your house as The Best Ever in the Market, it may not sell as quickly as you thought and wanted it to be. Relax, a house is a huge investment on the part of the buyer, and they may be nitpicky on the average and flaky at worst. 8. You could be your own salesperson, too – Don’t rely solely on your agent to do all the marketing – you could ask a photographer friend (or if you know how to take good photos yourself) to capture your home as beautiful as possible. You could use social media to your advantage by putting up ads on Facebook and Instagram (it’s actually cheap), or just by simply posting it in your social media accounts and asking friends and family to share it. 9. Have a gauge on your potential profit (or loss) – Reduce the selling price to the following expenses that will be incurred throughout the selling process:   Title charges Government recording and transfer changes Real estate agent sales commissions Additional settlement charges Debt obligations that needs to paid off on an ongoing mortgage Home repairs and enhancements prior to listing 10.  Research on current tax laws – You could have your agent explain this to you as they may be knowledgeable and updated on tax laws, but it's good to also do some research on your own. It could also help you when estimating your potential profits after selling.