Tips to sell your home for the best price

June 29, 2022

You want the best price when you’re selling your home.

It’s already a stressful situation trying to make the sale. Now with interest rates on the rise, that can impact prospective buyers for your house.

What you can control is how to showcase your home in the best possible way for your buyer. And that’s everything from listing your home to researching buyers to fixing and cleaning your home.

Here are 10 tips to sell your house for the best price.

1. Showcase, don’t exaggerate in your listing

No one’s house is perfect. Buyers don’t want to waste time on a dud that was listed as a gem.

Be honest about its qualities. If your house isn’t renovated, don’t make it sound like it is. If it has an updated kitchen and bathroom, say so. If it has original woodwork and historic charm, say so. If it’s freshly painted, tell potential buyers. Accentuate the positives of your home.

When prospective buyers read the specs about the roof, plumbing, furnace, electricity, or windows, they will get a good idea about the shape that your house is in, and what repairs and updates have been made.

Some buyers want a house that needs TLC and will make it a project to improve it, which could be a selling point for some homes. Others want a turnkey house. If you’re house isn’t in the turnkey category, potential buyers will see that right away. Again, be direct about the positives of your house and don’t try to hide its flaws.

Tell potential buyers about your neighborhood, schools, parks, and other amenities. They can be selling points, too.

Remember that you also need to disclose any defects such as major structural problems, mould, a basement that floods during heavy rainfall, or hidden fire damage.

2. Do you use a real estate agent or not?

You’ll need to decide whether you want to sell your property yourself or work with a real estate agent, who will get a commission for selling your home but brings knowledge and knowhow to a sale.

If you decide to sell your house privately and save the commission, you’ll be responsible for every aspect of selling your house. It will take some time and research on your part.

You will set the list price, which will require you to understand how to price your home to sell.

You will also need to get your house in ready-to-sell condition, advertise your listing, manage open house showings, review offers, negotiate terms, and do the paperwork once an agreement with a buyer has been reached.

Some sellers are up for the task of taking on the sale of their home, while others prefer an agent to handle it.

3. Find the right price for your home

Don’t let your emotions guide you on its price. Sure, it’s your home and you want a sale that brings you as much money as possible, but an over-priced home can make buyers walk away.

Choose a price for your house that will get motivated buyers to make an offer. Look at listed prices for properties similar to yours.

Does pricing your house under market value work? Some sellers do this, hoping to create a bidding war. Sometimes it works, depending on market demand. Other times, it could create a negative perception of your house and cause it to sell under price.

Buyers are becoming more educated. If you are going to ask for a premium over similar homes in your neighborhood, it should be in top condition and have features that the others don’t have.

4. Research your ideal buyer

Houses appeal to different kinds of buyers, based on their wants and needs.

What kind of buyer wants your house? Knowing your target buyer can make a big difference when you’re selling your home.

For a home, condo or townhouse that is in good condition, the target buyer is likely looking for a move-in ready home and would likely pay for any upgrades to be done. This type of buyer usually does not want any project or weekend repairs.

If your house is a fixer upper, you would be looking at buyers who want to take on the challenge of making your home their own.

Be realistic about the type of buyer your home would attract based on its condition.

5. Fix everything that needs to be fixed

You need to repair anything that is broken or decrepit, such as outdoor steps, rotting wood on the exterior, peeling paint, dripping faucets, broken lights, stained carpet, and damaged walls.

Go over the inside and outside of your house. Make a list of everything that needs to be repaired and would deter a buyer from bidding on your property. Your list could be long, but it’s worth the effort to make the sale.

6. Clean and declutter

It’s worth the effort to give your walls a fresh coat of paint, if needed. Clean and shiny leaves a good impression.

Consider replacing old carpet and giving hardwood floors a buffing or resurfacing. Clean your windows inside and out.

Clean closets and drawers. Get rid of excess belongings if you are not using them or rent a storage space. Presenting a tidy and tended home leaves a good impression.

Clean out your garage or basement if needed, too. Tidy up your lawn and do some landscaping if needed.

Also consider upgrading light fixtures, electrical plates, taps, and window treatments if it’s in your budget. Add a few throw rugs and some pillows to create a welcoming atmosphere. What kind of impression does any artwork on your walls create?

Think of your efforts as a big spring cleaning to get your house ready to sell.

7. Put the best face on your kitchen

The kitchen is usually the focal point of the house and people spend a lot of time there.

If you haven’t renovated your kitchen or don’t have the money for a full reno, you can add some upgrades.

Consider a new counter top, new appliances, new cupboard faces and new hardware, or flooring. Even a coat of fresh paint can liven up an old kitchen. Make a budget and prioritize what is possible for you to do to refresh your kitchen.

8. Put the best face on your bathroom

If your bathroom isn’t renovated, you can refresh it with a coat of paint, a new shower curtain and towels. If it’s in your budget, you can consider a new sink and set of taps.

Reglazing your tub is also a way to refresh your bathroom. You may need to re-do the grout, too.

Think about what your buyer will see when entering your bathroom.

9. Get rid of pet smells

Over time, a house can get pet smells from Fluffy or Fido.

Vacuum all your furniture and clean your pet’s bed. Deodorize with a natural product, such as vinegar diluted with a bit of water.

Remove any pet-stained carpets.

An air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help, too.

10. Use technology to your advantage

Make your home a smart home (as much as you can) to impress potential buyers.

Smart door locks and thermostats are relatively inexpensive, and they stand out. Smartphone-controlled carbon monoxide detectors, foyer lights and home security systems can also make your home stand out and make you look tech savvy.

The use of smart home technology can show buyers that you are conscious of security, comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency.