Selling your home can be a long and sometimes confusing process, but it doesn't have to be with the proper guidance and tips from a Moraga realtor.
One of the most important aspects is making a solid impression. Your initial impression sets the tone for negotiations and can impact the ultimate selling price of your property. However, many sellers make the mistake of overlooking key areas that can impact the effectiveness of their initial impression.
In this blog post, we'll outline some changes you can make to improve your initial offers, helping to ensure a sale. From setting a realistic asking price to addressing necessary repairs and improvements, offering incentives, being flexible with your terms, and making a strong first impression, these strategies can help you attract serious buyers and achieve a successful home sale.
Make a solid first impression
First impressions are everything in real estate. Before buyers view your home, they search online. A successful sale is likely with professional photos and an expert listing description from a seasoned agent like a Moraga Realtor. Make your home photo ready with a few simple changes.
No matter what the inside looks like, the exterior of your home sets the stage for everything else. It's the first thing prospective buyers will notice when viewing the house online and when they tour the property. Consider adding some landscaping, painting the exterior, or upgrading the front door to improve the overall curb appeal of your property.
Next is staging. Buyers need to envision themselves in your space. To create this vision, professional-level home staging is a must. Great home staging depends on decreasing clutter, depersonalizing the decor, and highlighting the best features of your property. Consider hiring a professional staging team and coordinating with paint colors. Neutral paint colors typically do best, but consider the vibe you want to incite when choosing the palate.
No matter what the inside looks like, the exterior of your home sets the stage for everything else. It's the first thing prospective buyers will notice when viewing the house online and when they tour the property. Consider adding some landscaping, painting the exterior, or upgrading the front door to improve the overall curb appeal of your property.
Next is staging. Buyers need to envision themselves in your space. To create this vision, professional-level home staging is a must. Great home staging depends on decreasing clutter, depersonalizing the decor, and highlighting the best features of your property. Consider hiring a professional staging team and coordinating with paint colors. Neutral paint colors typically do best, but consider the vibe you want to incite when choosing the palate.
Address any necessary repairs or improvements
Moving is stressful enough without the looming cloud of extensive repairs and improvements upon move-in. Lingering home renovation projects or unsightly structural issues are a major turn-off for most buyers, but it doesn't mean everything must be perfect for a sale.
While a home inspection isn't mandatory in California for buyers, many prefer to use an inspector before purchase. Hire a home inspector first, then prioritize the necessary repairs. The last thing you want is a surprise report or minor maintenance to knock you out of making the sale.
If your home is outdated or lacks certain features that buyers want, consider making strategic improvements to help it stand out in a competitive market. According to a HomeLight study from 2021, 60% of agents reported a home office as a top priority for buyers. Other simple strategic home improvements can aid in the sale, too. Improvements include upgrading the kitchen or bathrooms or adding smart home technology. Consider updating the exterior paint, front or garage doors, or simply swapping the hardware and faucets inside.
While a home inspection isn't mandatory in California for buyers, many prefer to use an inspector before purchase. Hire a home inspector first, then prioritize the necessary repairs. The last thing you want is a surprise report or minor maintenance to knock you out of making the sale.
If your home is outdated or lacks certain features that buyers want, consider making strategic improvements to help it stand out in a competitive market. According to a HomeLight study from 2021, 60% of agents reported a home office as a top priority for buyers. Other simple strategic home improvements can aid in the sale, too. Improvements include upgrading the kitchen or bathrooms or adding smart home technology. Consider updating the exterior paint, front or garage doors, or simply swapping the hardware and faucets inside.
Set a realistic asking price
The market flipped in 2020 due to several factors, primarily a high demand for housing with a low inventory. The 2023 real estate market is still evolving, but so far has proven to be a strong seller's market across the board.
Seller's market conditions provide excellent opportunities for successful sales because listings don’t stay on the market long but can come with pitfalls. As a preliminary precaution, you should have a backup plan when selling in a seller’s market before listing your property.
For a successful sale, setting a balanced price is imperative. A selling price that is too high will discourage buyers, but one that is too low can mean missing out on potential profit gains.
To set a realistic asking price, research comparable properties in the area. Consider the condition and features of your home, the age of construction, and how it compares to other listings in your area. A seasoned agent can guide you every step of the way. Simplify the process and work with an expert real estate agent from Kelly Crawford Homes.
Seller's market conditions provide excellent opportunities for successful sales because listings don’t stay on the market long but can come with pitfalls. As a preliminary precaution, you should have a backup plan when selling in a seller’s market before listing your property.
For a successful sale, setting a balanced price is imperative. A selling price that is too high will discourage buyers, but one that is too low can mean missing out on potential profit gains.
To set a realistic asking price, research comparable properties in the area. Consider the condition and features of your home, the age of construction, and how it compares to other listings in your area. A seasoned agent can guide you every step of the way. Simplify the process and work with an expert real estate agent from Kelly Crawford Homes.
Consider offering incentives
Incentives attract serious buyers and set your property apart when selling in a competitive market. Consider the following options to improve your initial offers.
Paying for closing costs
Closing costs can add up quickly for buyers, so offering to pay for some or all of these costs can be a significant incentive. Paying the closing cost can make the property appear more enticing to buyers and may even help you secure a higher selling price.
Including appliances or furniture in the sale
Including high-quality appliances or furniture can be a selling point to help you stand out. You can also add other furnishings in the sale, like outdoor furniture or smart home features.
Offering a home warranty
Offering a warranty provides peace of mind for buyers by protecting them from unexpected repairs or maintenance costs in the first year of ownership. Customizable warranties can be a major incentive for potential buyers.
Be flexible with your terms
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported in 2022 that buyer confidence has dropped with the swings in the real estate market over the last few years. However, being flexible when selling your home can help increase initial offers. Flexibility shows potential buyers that you are willing to work with them to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
The flexibility offered to a prospective buyer can be beneficial if you need to move a closing date. When buyers feel like they have some negotiating power and that you are willing to consider their needs, they may be more likely to make a solid initial offer. Plus, as mentioned above, having a backup plan is critical when selling in a seller’s market.
The flexibility offered to a prospective buyer can be beneficial if you need to move a closing date. When buyers feel like they have some negotiating power and that you are willing to consider their needs, they may be more likely to make a solid initial offer. Plus, as mentioned above, having a backup plan is critical when selling in a seller’s market.
Ready to improve your initial offers?
Work with Kelly Crawford Homes, a group of experienced and knowledgeable real estate professionals dedicated to helping clients achieve their real estate goals. Led by Kelly Crawford, a top-ranked luxury real estate agent with over 20 years of experience in the industry, the team has a proven track record of success in helping buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market.
*Header image courtesy of Kelly Crawford Homes
