Selling a home can be a nerve-wracking experience. From constantly keeping a clean, show-ready house to dealing with late night calls from realtors, it adds up to a high stress factor. To learn how to sell your home and keep your sanity in check, keep reading.
1. Get Out Sometimes
While still staying relatively close to handle potential offers from prospective buyers, many homeowners opt to get out of town while selling their homes.
If you have a particularly busy schedule of open houses or your agent is planning an aggressive series of shows, consider taking the kids and heading out for a few days. Whether you stay in a hotel or visit the grandparents, this can be a great way to step away from the real estate jungle and keep your house clean.
2. Start Packing
Preparing for an upcoming move by packing provides two benefits. The first is that you’ll be clearing away clutter and personal effects, therefore making your home more open to potential buyers.
The second benefit of getting started on your packing is that it’ll provide an outlet for your energy as you prepare for an upcoming move. Even if you haven’t purchased your next home, the act of packing can help you mentally prepare.
3. Do Something Extra
If your house isn’t selling as quickly as you’d like, ask your agent frankly what you can do to improve your home’s attractiveness to buyers. That person will likely be able to suggest a number of cosmetic changes you can make to woo buyers.
For example, a fresh coat of paint can open up the living room while new window treatments can really brighten your kitchen. Little tips like this will not only increase the likelihood of an offer, but they’ll also keep you busy.
4. Minimize Show Frenzy
Too often when selling a home, the agent calls ahead and then everyone runs around frantically trying to clean up clutter and get out of the way. You can minimize showing frenzy by providing discreet storage for clutter like mail and newspapers, having a daily cleaning routine, and keeping your family on top of tasks such as making the beds and keeping their rooms clean.
5. Choose an Agent You Like
Many homeowners recommend that you select an agent who gets result, but it’s also important to choose an agent whom you actually like. From planning for open houses to navigating negotiations, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your agent. So, it’s important to work with someone you enjoy on both a professional and personal level.