Are you getting ready to put your home up for sale? The Livermore housing market is fairly competitive right now. Many sellers will receive multiple offers on their homes, and some will have waived contingencies or a higher price than what you’re asking for. At the same time, some homes will spend several weeks on the market, and sellers occasionally have to experiment with price drops. What can you do to make sure your home is positioned well for success? Here are a few tips that will help you earn the best price when you choose to sell your home.
1. GET AN INSPECTION BEFORE YOU LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE
Nearly every home will undergo an inspection before closing day. An inspector will visit the property to check the foundation and ensure the home doesn’t have any technical or structural concerns. The inspector will provide the buyer with a full report about the home’s condition, and the deal can fall apart if the inspector or the buyer has any serious concerns about issues with the home. Nobody wants to be surprised by major problems that the inspection reveals, especially when there’s an agreed-upon deal to sell the home. One way you can prevent this from happening is to order an inspection before you list your home for sale. You’ll still have time to make any necessary repairs or renovations before you put your home on the market. Even if you don’t want to spend the money yourself to solve these problems, you can make potential buyers aware of the home’s condition, so you don’t have to worry about the deal falling apart during the option period.
2. LOOK AROUND AT YOUR COMPETITION
Once you get an idea of where you’ll price your home, you should take some time to look at other homes priced in a similar range. Pay attention to what features or amenities stand out in these homes. This will give you an idea of what buyers will see when shopping for homes. Look for trends or patterns in each of these homes. For example, if all of the homes in your price range have updated kitchen appliances, but your home does not, buyers will notice. This may cause them to lose interest in your home or lead them to look elsewhere for Livermore homes for sale. Make sure that your home is positioned for success whenever it hits the market by ensuring that you won’t operate at a competitive disadvantage.
3. THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW YOU’LL MARKET YOUR HOME
Don’t neglect the tried and true marketing methods like putting up a for sale sign in your front yard. The greatest benefit of yard signs is that they get your neighbors talking. They may let their friends and family know that there is a home available for sale nearby them, or they could post about their home on their social media accounts. You’ll also attract attention from people who are driving by your home, especially if you also put a sign near the entrance of your neighborhood. Another idea for marketing is to take a short video of your home to include with your home’s online listing. People regularly engage with short-form video content on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Using videos to sell your home is one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal. Speaking of social media, Facebook makes it easy for you to use promoted advertisements to generate greater awareness in your home. You can set a budget for what you’ll spend, and you can configure your settings to target certain demographics based on age or location.
4. USE DESIGN TIPS TO STAGE YOUR HOME
Some people falsely assume that pushing furniture against the wall helps a room feel larger. It actually makes the room appear smaller. Designers recommend leaving four feet of space between the wall and each piece of furniture. They also advise placing each individual piece at least eighteen inches away from all other furniture. This will ensure that there’s enough space to move freely throughout the room. You can prepare your kitchen for showings by removing any clutter from your kitchen countertops and leaving no more than four chairs around your dining room table. Many sellers will set the table or kitchen island with plates, napkins, and silverware to help guests imagine what it could be like to enjoy meals or host guests in the space. If you want to take it a step further, you can leave a potted plant or a bowl of fresh fruit out on the kitchen counter to bring more of a natural feeling into the area.
5. WORK WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT WHO CAN HELP YOU NEGOTIATE
During most home sales, you’ll reach a point where you’re trading offers back and forth with the other party. You may receive offers below your asking price depending on how long your home has been listed for sale and how competitive your local market is. Your realtor will advise you on how to proceed based on their knowledge and experience. They will also help you understand how you can use non-financial assets to gain a competitive edge. Perhaps a buyer offers to purchase your house for a price that’s lower than what you’re asking for. You can counter with an offer above the asking price while offering to include non-attached assets such as your refrigerator or your washer and dryer. This is just one example of how realtors can negotiate to help you go under contract for the best possible deal.
Livermore real estate agent Linda Traurig sets herself apart by truly caring for her clients and handling each transaction with honesty and integrity. She works hard to guide each person she works with through the entire process of buying or selling their home. She has extensive knowledge of the Livermore housing market that she uses to equip each of her clients for success. Reach out to Linda when you’re ready to begin shopping for Livermore homes for sale.
