Sell Your First Home with These Must-Have Tips

You’re ready to say good-bye to your home and look for something with more space, right? Maybe you want to grill out in your own backyard and not be cramped on a small porch or share your outdoor space.You’re ready to say good-bye to your home and look for something with more space, right? Maybe you want to grill out in your own backyard and not be cramped on a small porch or share your outdoor space.You probably love your first home but your needs may have changed (or they will in the near future). Selling can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Just follow these tips, and you’ll be a successful “first-time seller” and move on to your next home of your dreams.Tackle Those Savvy Buyers• When selling a starter home, you’re appealing to younger first-time buyers but also empty nesters that want to downsize. Consider appealing to both of these markets.• Today’s buyers are better prepared than ever. They do their own internet research, home searches, receive seller disclosure forms, order home inspections, etc. Make sure you’re just as informed and prepared as them.• Promote your home on the web for those tech-savvy first-timers, but don’t forget to have a phone number for the older set.• Get professional quality photos of your entire home for today’s essential “curb appeal” of Internet listings. Don’t scare away buyers with dark, unimpressive photos or a lack of photos.• Get that home inspection before you list, so you’re not surprised by anything and have time to fix the problem.• Throw in extras to help seal the deal. A home warranty can entice buyers since it will help them feel like they are protected if anything unforeseen goes wrong after settlement. It’s a great negotiation tactic and can cost as little as $399 for a full year’s coverage.• Your potential buyers might watch too much HGTV and feel they have the edge on you. Don’t let that happen, so stay prepared and informed!Be Real About Price & Market• Study sales prices, not asking prices, since the true market is based on what buyers are willing to pay right now.• Price your home competitively from the get-go to take advantage of the first two weeks of showings that bring the most traffic to your home.• Price your home strategically so that it appears on electronic listings that will reach more potential buyers. Dropping a home from $355,000 to $349,000 means it will pop up more often in search results.• All real estate is local and your broker knows the ins and outs of what is selling and what isn’t and why. Make sure you have an agent who can help you set your price and determine your terms of negotiation when the time comes.• Choose the right time to sell, in order to attract more buyers. Avoid wintertime or major holidays, since there are fewer buyers looking to purchase.• You may have to prepare yourself to lose some money in order to sell in a timely manner. Decide which factor is more important to you off the bat.• Selling your first home can be emotional since you have fond memories about living there. Try to distance yourself and view it as a financial transaction so you can stay focused on getting your home sold.Spruce It Up• Prepare your property and fix what’s broken. It’s that simple!• First homes tend to be small so clear away that clutter to make it feel cozy, not cramped. Pare down and store large furniture pieces elsewhere.• Keep it clean and don’t have chaotic countertops in the kitchen and bathroom.• Make it as move-in ready as possible since today’s buyers are not crazy about doing repairs and replacements. First-time buyers or empty nesters usually don’t want an immediate to-do list.• Keep in mind what one expert says, “It’s not just a price war, but a beauty contest at the same time.”And don’t worry! You’ll be moving on to a new place in no time; one that will feel just as much like home as this one did. Just keep these tips in mind so the transition is successful and stress-free.