Sell Your Home Like a Pro

Have you been thinking about selling your home for your PCS but you're not sure where to start? We’ve been in your shoes and understand there is a lot to do for a military move, therefore adding more stress to the situation. The PCS military process is stressful enough; having to sell your home shouldn't add more stress. Our team of experts have developed a list of the 10 best-kept secrets for selling your home, and we're here to assist however we can. 

1. Remember, the first impression is important. Potential buyers already have an impression of your home before they even enter it. You won't ever get a second chance to make a good impression, so it's important to have a warm, welcoming feel as people approach your home. You can spruce up your home's exterior without spending much money to make it look and feel safe and inviting. Consider landscaping with some shrubs or bright flowers. 

2. Buyers understand that people live in the home when it's on the market, but its should be "show-ready" at all times. You never know when your buyer will walk through the door. You should be available whenever they want to see your place, and it needs to be clean and organized. Some friendly reminders include: don't leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher empty, make sure bathrooms stay clean, and ensure the floors are swept. It may be a little inconvenient at the time, but trust us, it will get your home sold!

3. Sell your kitchen. The kitchen is a big selling point for buyers, and they want a nice one! We're not saying to spend thousands of dollars remodeling your kitchen; instead, consider these inexpensive ways to update the space. 

 •Paint the space a neutral color

 •Replace the hardware on kitchen cabinets 

 •Stage the space to make it feel as big as possible

4. Take the "home" out of your house. In other words, de-personalize your space. You want potential buyers to see a space where they can imagine themselves living. Remove your personal items like family photos, and consider putting it in storage or out of sight. This can maximize the potential to sell your home quickly.

5. Do the easy upgrades! Before you sell, it's important to make a few inexpensive updates to your home to get top dollar. Here's what we recommend: apply a fresh coat of paint, clean the curtains and blinds, replace door handles, ensure all light switch covers match, ensure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets, and apply a new coat of caulk in the tubs if needed. A little bit of updating goes a long way!

6. Have a plan for pets. Not everyone is a dog or cat lover (or a pet lover, for that matter). Buyers might not enjoy walking into your home and seeing a bowl of food, or smelling a litter box. It could give the wrong impression to a potential buyer. If you're having an open house, make plans to remove the pets from your home for the day. 

7. Use the right realtor. Using the right realtor could mean getting top dollar for your property. Your agent should be informed on the area, educated on the market, and ready to serve you to the best of his or her ability. Don't be afraid to interview agents until you find one who aligns with your goals and feels like the right fit. 

8. Maximize the light in your home. Good lighting is something most buyers want in a home. Consider removing the curtains, opening the blinds, cleaning the windows, changing your lampshades, increasing the lightbulb wattage, and cut back bushes outside to let light in. Do what you need to do to make the space light, bright and cheery. It makes it sell, trust us!

9. Clean the closets. Closet space and storage space is an important selling factor for potential buyers. When they look in your closets during a tour or an open house, remove some of your personal belongs to truly show how much space is truly there. They want to know that there will be enough space for their own items and belongings. 

10. Price your home correctly. The right price for your home is not determined by any agent or seller, its determined by current market conditions. Your agent should pull up-to-date data to see what homes like yours are selling for. When your home is prices correctly, your listing should sell!

Now that you know some of the best kept secrets, are you ready to sell your home?