Tips for Selling a Home in Austin

Selling your home can be a huge undertaking, especially if it is your first time. A REALTOR® will help you through the process of putting your property on the market and finding the best buyer. REALTORS® provide guidance and advice on how to sell your home quickly and for a great price. If you are ready to sell, the following tips will start you in the right direction. Take off your rose-colored glasses If you have lived in your home for several years, it may be difficult to look at the property with an objective eye. Your REALTOR® can suggest upgrades to increase the value of your Austin real estate and make it appealing to the widest range buyers. For simple ways to increase the value of your home, click here. The “three golden rules” of real estate Homes that sell quickly at or above their market value usually have three things in common: great location, great condition and a great price. Keep reading to learn more about what buyers evaluate when they consider homes in Austin. Location - Buyers look for homes in locations that best suit their lifestyles. They may consider how many parks or schools are located near your property, or they may ask about the history, population and demographics of your neighborhood. A REALTOR® can answer these questions easily and inform buyers or buyers’ agents of all location details. Condition - Your REALTOR® can form a plan to improve your home’s condition, which will attract more buyers and allow you to sell your home for a higher price. Such a plan may include making repairs and changing the functionality of some rooms to make your home more appealing to buyers. It is wise to make the renovations recommended by your REALTOR® before putting your Austin home on the market. Failing to make these upgrades or waiting too long to make changes means you could miss out on potential buyers. If you cannot afford everything your REALTOR® suggests, ask him or her to recommend ways to get your home buyer-ready without blowing your budget. Price - Sellers who put their homes on the market without a REALTOR®’S guidance typically price their property unrealistically and have difficulty making the sale. Be sure to work with a REALTOR® who understands the current state of the Austin real estate market and is aware of prices for homes of similar value. Pricing a home correctly at the start eliminates the need for you to reduce your asking price and increases the likelihood that your home will be sold. Make a great first impression From the moment potential buyers arrive at your home, they are evaluating everything from sights to smells to sounds. It is usually small details like a recently vacuumed floor, clean windows and the scent of fresh flowers that really impress buyers. Some REALTORS® may work with home stagers to present your house in the best light, while others may help by creating a list of reminders for you to check off daily to ensure your home is clean and comfortable when buyers walk through the door. Communication is key Be open with your REALTOR®. The more information he or she has regarding your needs and goals during the selling process, the better he or she can serve you. Tell your REALTOR® your motivation for selling and what your ideal time frame is for moving out. Ask him or her what options there are for preparing your home for show, and be honest about what you are willing to do. It is also a good idea for you and your REALTOR® to write down your selling strategy to avoid confusion. source: Austin Board of Realtors