Dreaming of selling your home with as few problems as possible? Unfortunately, for many home sellers, that dream is not possible. They either miss a crucial step in the process or try to cut corners, resulting in their home spending more time on the market and less money in their pocket. However, by following a few simple steps, you can sell your house faster and easier.
Homes for sale in Newton, MA, have seen an increase in interest over the past few months. Newton real estate is a seller’s market, which means sellers have an advantage during negotiations. With Newton’s central location just seven miles west of Boston, the area is experiencing an explosion in population, bringing more home buyers than ever.
Although the increased interest in Newton is good for home sellers, you should still follow the proper steps to ensure your home sells for the most profit possible.
Set a fair asking price right away
Your Newton, MA, realtor will advise you to set a fair asking price on your house. This is vital advice that should be followed. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is setting your listing price too high or too low. Either way will result in lost time and money.
Setting a fair price on your property will require
a little bit of research. First off, check comparable houses near your area and pay attention to their asking price. Once you’ve compiled a list of comparable houses, analyze their prices to determine how much you should set your home at. Double-check with your realtor to make sure your price makes sense.
Don’t waste time on needless upgrades
Most real estate agents agree that updating things around your house is a great way to improve its overall value. These updates can include easy-to-fix projects, including leaky faucets, broken door handles, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
However, do not go overboard with upgrades. Now is not the time to knock out a wall to make your living room and kitchen an open floor plan. These types of upgrades rarely pay off in the end. They will only waste time and money. After all, what if these major updates turn away potential buyers instead?
Get a pre-sale home inspection
After making offers on homes for sale in Newton, MA, buyers will get a home inspection that examines the entire property for any current or potential issues. If any issues are found, buyers can then use them as bargaining chips to enter re-negotiations. You can sometimes avoid this situation by getting a pre-sale home inspection.
Your
pre-sale home inspection functions the same way as a buyer-sanctioned inspection. The home inspector will look for any current or potential issues and make a detailed report on them. By getting this inspection done before you put your house on the market, you will have a leg up over buyers. Not only will you know if there are any issues that need to be addressed, but you can also address and fix these problems in a timely manner. This will help speed up the home selling process and lead to more potential profits.
Hire a professional photographer
Most home buyers turn to the internet to look for houses. Because of this, you want to ensure your listing uses high-quality, well-lit photos to attract buyer attention. The best way to do this is by hiring a professional photographer. Your photographer will know exactly which angles and lightning to best capture your home’s features.
Prepare your home for the market
You can effectively prepare your home for the market with the help of a Newton, MA, realtor. After decluttering and de-personalizing your house, your real estate agent will help you stage the home and create a listing.
To effectively declutter and de-personalize your house, you need to remove personal belongings. You want to put away photos, memorabilia, and other items that remind buyers that you’re living in the home. When potential buyers view your home, they’ll want to picture themselves living there.
You should also consider staging your home, which simply means arranging rooms for optimal flow and attraction. The best way to do this is by researching the types of buyers your house will attract and using that information to your advantage. For example, if your house attracts families, then staging a room to reflect a children’s room will go a long way.
Review and negotiate offers
Ideally, you’d like multiple offers at once to pick and choose from. If this happens, you may be tempted to pick the highest offer. However, that may not always be the best option. Consider other factors as well, such as buyer financing and if there are any contingencies.
Once you have an offer you like, you can either accept it or make a counteroffer. Your counteroffer should be made in writing within 48 hours. If the buyer accepts your counteroffer, then you both will move forward with the sale. Your real estate agent will negotiate with buyers to ensure you receive the best offer possible.
Work with an experienced Newton, MA, realtor
Real estate industry professional
Elizabeth Bain has years of experience helping clients sell their homes quickly and for top dollar. With her knowledge of the local market, Elizabeth can use every tool at her disposal to help ensure your home sale goes as smoothly as possible. She will work closely alongside you during every step of the process, as well as offer tips and suggestions along the way. If you’re ready to sell your Newton, MA, home, contact Elizabeth today.
