Ten Dos and Don’ts When Selling Your Home

Similar to selling something on Craigslist or even setting up an online dating profile, you should use current images that tell an accurate story when listing your home on the market for sale. Buyers will eventually visit it in person and then conduct a home inspection with any offer, so it is best to present and disclose things as they truly are. Here are 10 “Dos and Don’ts” as you get ready to list your home for sale.

Thorough Cleaning

Before the photographer is lined up you should give your home a deep cleaning and declutter each room of your extra belongings while you stage the furniture. This process can take time, but it will be worth it in the end. You will have better photos, smoother showings and it can even save you time when it comes to packing!

Do Write a Good Description

Other than mentioning all of the important basics like bed and bath count, make sure you list some of the best and less obvious facts. Include major updates, improvements or inform buyers of the close proximity to desirable area amenities and services.

Don’t Distort Your Photos

Professional photos are essential so that you get composition, lighting and quality correct. However, avoid using any lenses that can misrepresent or distort your home’s interior like a fish eye lens. These can oversell a home online where buyers will be disappointed when they come to see it in person.

Do Pricing Research

Always research your pricing with a comparative market analysis. This is the best way to arrive at the most appropriate list price. Review recent solds in the neighborhood that are most similar and adjust accordingly for how your home fairs by comparison.

Don’t Overprice

Avoid overpricing your property by selecting a list price by using an online valuation tool, sentimental value or how much money you have invested in it. Buyers are well educated today and will be doing the same math on their end using recent comps. They will usually base their offers off of this data as well.

Don’t Hide Obvious Issues

It can happen where some significant flaws will be left out of the property descriptions and it becomes a surprise to buyers when seeing it in person. While you don’t need to list every flaw, you may want to prepare buyers with a note such as “seller will provide $500 repair credit for damaged front door.”

Do Call out Improvements

Keep your photos in sync with the home’s description. Promote renovations, new roofs, upgraded windows or similar. Bigger ticket items go a long way with a buyer’s interest.

Don’t Forget Documentation

It is great that you may have replaced that HVAC system, but be sure to have all of the receipts readily available for your agent to share. Aside from proving that you did the work, there may be key details and warranty information to share.

Do Virtual Staging if Necessary

If your property is vacant, virtual staging can be a cost effective marketing enhancement. Paying for actual furniture staging is best, but can get expensive. Virtual staging can be a great alternative to provide buyers with a better idea of possible room function and layout. However, be sure to clearly label these photos as virtual images to avoid any surprises.

Don’t Doctor Photos

If you decide to do virtual staging photos you will want to notify buyers of this on them. You may even add in to the description that the home is vacant just to be clear. Also, never alter photos like removing power lines where they are as it can be a misrepresentation issue.