Selling your home - Five things to consider

SELLING YOUR HOME - FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER
By: Gayla Allen

PRICING YOUR HOME TO SELL
This is perhaps the most important decision you have to make. If you choose to put your home on the market using “For Sale By Owner” you will need to spend time studying your local market and your home. This can be time consuming and a bit confusing. For example in Salt Lake City, Utah, buyers and sellers have very diverse needs. With residential home prices in Utah ranging from low 100,000's well into multi million dollar estates the market has many choices for buyers in all income brackets.

In targeted areas such as Riverton, Herriman, and West Jordan homes average prices are between $200,000 - $300,000. Draper, Sandy, and South Jordan Homes are beginning to demand slightly higher selling prices, averaging upward in the $400,000 range. Many factors determine the value of a home.

Working with a real estate professional can give you the advantage of determining the best price and value of your property from the beginning. They will assist you in obtaining top-dollar price, thereby protecting your equity, and enjoying a relatively fast and easy sell. Since buyers are comparison shoppers, you need to remember that your home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay.

STAGING YOUR HOME TO SELL
Across the United States more homes are on the market than in years past so it is important that you do everything you can to make your home stand apart from the rest. There are many things that you can do on a budget, involving more “elbow grease” than money. The internet is full of great ideas to help you get started, but here are just 4 important things to consider first.

• If buyers don’t like the way a home looks from the street, they won’t even get out of the car. Start by viewing your home from the curb. You must be honest with yourself and ask how someone might see in your home in comparison with all the other homes on the market. Buyers will start reducing the price of a home depending on what they perceive as time and money to update, replace, or fix problems. Your front door should be cleaned, freshly painted, or re-stained if needed. Remove any nails or other items used for hanging holiday ornaments. Prune anything back that distracts from the beauty of your home. Clean your driveway, sidewalks, and porch. Keep your lawn mowed and edges and your flower beds weed free. If possible, add fresh mulch to your garden areas. Artfully arranged and placed flower pots are appealing and pique the emotions of your buyer. Do everything you can to make sure no one simply drives away without viewing your home. Exposure is everything, and you want buyers and real estate professionals to see your home.

• Grab your packing boxes and start boxing things up! Your moving and have to do this, you may as well use it too your advantage right away. Start by viewing a few model homes near you. Most are perfectly staged to sell. You don’t have to buy new furniture or items, just de-clutter you house. Open up your home by removing as much as you can, especially personal pictures setting on tables, mantels, and walls. You want buyers to see this as their next home, not yours. Only keep out tasteful decorating items that enhance the home. Next, open up your cabinets and closets. Pack away as many dishes, pots and pans, and especially kitchen items setting out in view. Organize your panty, and all your closets. Pack away as much as you can including your clothes. Get rid of dead plants and trim dying or droopy greenery. Lastly, your furniture should be arranged to open up your home. That doesn’t mean that you have to push everything against the walls, simply store away furniture that is distracting or over bearing in you rooms. A rule of thumb, no more than 3 items on per wall. Make sure entrances to all rooms have an open flow.

• A home in disrepair can cost you a sale or a huge reduction in your offer price. Make sure that you thoroughly inspect your home inside and out for anything that needs repaired. This includes leaking facets, carpet, linoleum, and tile should be clean and in good repair. Notice light fixtures, toilets, storm drains, holes in doors and walls, and stains. Repair broken woodwork, loose planks, and creaky stairs. Hardwood floors are a very appealing. If you have hardwood floors, consider removing the floor covering, especially if the carpet is old. Go through your home and inspect it from top to bottom, inside and out. You may be amazed how much can be done with out costing very much.

• Lighten Up! Update, lighten, brighten or neutralize your wall and flooring colors. Nothing adds more to your home appeal than updated wall colors. Soft neutrals such as pale yellow, grays, and light tan can give your house a nice sophisticated look. If your budget allows, replace old and outdated carpets and flooring. Although you may have fun or eccentric taste in décor, stay neutral while showing your home. This will ensure that your home appeals to the largest group of buyers as possible. Remember, the way you live is not the way you should sell your home.

Some people may choose a more aggressive approach to staging a home to sell. Careful consideration is important if you want to optimize the cost of improvements vs. what you get back from the sale. Protecting your equity is important. Some bathroom and kitchen improvements can add appreciation, but not all home additions will add value to your property. You may value a swimming pool, but some may consider it a safety hazard for young children. An Island kitchen design is popular but it restricts kitchen traffic flow. Before spending a lot of money getting your house ready to sell, talk to your real estate agent about the improvements most appropriate in your market and you will do your share to speed the sale of your home.