When is the best time to list a house for sale?
The “best” time to list you house is actually as soon as you decide to sell it. If you want to get the best price for your house, the key is to give yourself as much time as possible to sell it. More time means more potential buyers will probably see the house. This should result in more offers; it also gives you time to consider more options if the market is slow or initial interest is low.
Is there any seasonality to the market?
Peak selling seasons vary in different areas of the country, and weather has a lot to do with it. For example, late spring and early fall are the prime listing seasons in many areas because houses tend to “show” better in those months than they do in the heat of summer or the cold of winter. And of course, people like to do their house shopping when the weather is pleasant.
But keep in mind that there are also more houses on the market during the prime seasons, so you will have more competition. So while there is seasonality in the real estate market, it is not something that should dominate your decision on when to sell.
Who can help me determine the right asking price?
Real estate sales professionals suggest asking prices based on a wide array of information you may not have at your disposal, including recent listing and selling prices of houses in your neighborhood. If you are not completely confident in their suggestions, you may want to order an appraisal. Next, establish clear priorities. If you had to choose, are you more concerned with selling quickly, or getting best price?
Someone else- a neighbor, friend or relative – may point out advantages or disadvantages about your house that you had not thought about. Third-party views will help you start thinking of your house as a commodity, with positive and negative selling points. Then you should decide on a price that you feel is competitive and consistent with what other house in your area have sold for.
Should I fix my house up before it goes on the market?
Unless your house is nearly new, chances are you will want to do some work to get it ready to market. The type and amount of work depend largely on the price you are asking, the time you have to sell, and the present condition of the house. If you are in a hurry to sell, do the “little things” that make your house look better from the outside and show better inside. Read on for several specific ideas for making low-cost improvements.
What is “curb appeal,” and how do I create it?
“Curb appeal” is a common real estate term for everything prospective buyers can see from the street that might make them want to turn in and take a look. Improving curb appeal is critical to generating traffic. While it does take time, it need not be difficult or expensive, provided you keep two key words in mind: neat and neutral. Neatness sells. New paint, an immaculate lawn, picture-perfect shrubbery, a newly sealed driveway, potted plants at the front door – put them all together, and drive-by shoppers will probably want to see the rest of the house.
Then, for both the inside and outside of your house, if you are going to repaint, choose neutral colors, and keep clutter and personal knick-knacks, photos, etc., to a minimum. Remember, when a family looks at a house, they are trying to paint a picture of what it would be like as their home. You want to give them as clean a canvas as possible.
What should I do to make the house show better?
First, make your house look as clean and spacious as possible. Remember, people may look behind your doors – closet and crawlspace doors, as well as those to the bedrooms and bathrooms. So get rid of all the clutter; rent a storage space if you need to, hold a garage sale or call a local charity. After you have cleaned, try to correct any cosmetic flaws you have noticed. Paint rooms that need it, re-grout tile walls and floors, remove or replace any worn-out carpets. Replace dated faucets, light fixtures, and the handles and knobs on your kitchen drawers and cabinets if needed. Finally, as with the outside of your house, try to make it easy for prospective buyers to imagine your house as their home. Clear as much from your walls, shelves, and countertops as you can. Give your prospects plenty of room to dream.
What is an MLS and why do I need one?
A Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is another resource to help ensure you reach a large number of prospective buyers and dramatically increase the exposure of a property. Quite simply, it is a system under which participating brokers agree to share commission on the sale of houses listed by any one of them. So, for example, if you list your house with one broker and another broker actually sells it, they share the commission. The advantage to you is clear; more people have an interest in selling your house.
Should I try to avoid being at home when the house is shown?
You should definitely plan to be out of the house during any open house your sales professional has scheduled; the same goes for first showings to prospective buyers. People often feel uncomfortable speaking candidly and asking questions in front of current owners. You want them to feel as free as possible to picture your house as their “dream home.”
What are some home maintenance tasks I can do myself?
You can get more enjoyment in your home, and save money along the way, just by making a quick inspection every few months. The following inspection checklist includes some important safety, economy, and comfort considerations that you should not overlook.
Inside Checkups
- Make sure handrails and posts on stairways are secure. Replace when necessary with inexpensive bracket hardware.
- Test all household alarms, especially smoke alarms; change batteries frequently. And do not forget the doorbell.
- Make sure drains are running smoothly. Check traps and basement waste pipes, then check the main water line and shutoff valve.
- Inspect the basement for any damp spots, especially in corners. If you catch these areas early, a little waterproofing compound will usually do the trick.
- Wrap your cold-water pipes with foam rubber insulation. It prevents pipe “sweating” in the summer and freezing in the winter.
Outside Checkups
- Keep gutters sloped toward the downspout, and keep them free of leaves and twigs.
- Keep basement windows in good order. Consider window well covers to keep out leaves and rain.
- Flashing is where a rood or wall meets a chimney or skylight. Check the seals in these areas to see if they are secure.
- Replace individual shingles when missing, worn or loose.
- Use wire screening to keep insects and birds from nesting in roof ventilation areas.
- Lubricate garage door hardware and hinges.
- Fill and seal driveway cracks when necessary.
How can I increase the energy efficiency of my home without spending a fortune?
Making your home more comfortable and efficient does not have to take a great deal of time and money. For a good start toward saving on your home heating, cooling, and other energy bills, here are five easy steps you can take:
- Keep your thermostat set around 78 degrees in the summer, 68 degrees in the winter. By avoiding constant adjustments, you can stabilize your energy bills. SAVINGS: You will stay comfortable year round, and your heating/cooling bills will not make you uncomfortable either.
- Dripping bathroom faucets and leaky showerheads are obvious waste culprits. Fortunately, they are easy to fix with a do-it-yourself book. Toilet tank water-savers can mean significant dollar savings, too. SAVINGS: An average family can save about 20,000 gallons of fresh water year with a few easy bathroom fix-ups.
- Compact fluorescent bulbs cost more than standard incandescent bulbs, but last more than 10 times longer (over five years in many cases) and use just a quarter of the electricity. SAVINGS: Over its lifetime each compact fluorescent bulb will save you $40 to $60 on your electric bill.
- Fireplaces can be a big energy leak. Check dampers and screens to make sure warm air is not escaping when the fireplace is not in use. Consider installing an energy-saving firebox to help circulate heat. If the fireplace is just for decoration, cover the chimney. SAVINGS: An energy-efficient fireplace can be an economical and cozy source of supplemental heat.
- Help your home systems and appliances do their jobs by keeping filters clean and operating parts oiled. Clean air conditioning filters and wall units each year. Change furnace filters frequently, and keep your furnace motor oiled. A professional inspection once a year will keep things running smoothly. SAVINGS: Doing the little things adds up to lower electric bills and fewer appliance replacement costs.
What maintenance records do I need to keep?
For easy reference in case of a repair or maintenance question, it is a good idea to keep a record of the brand, model number, and serial number of your major appliances and systems. Your records should also show the equipment installation dates (when known), as well as performance checks and service calls. Keeping these records can help you keep your home running smoothly the way checking your odometer can help you keep your car in top shape. Having such a handy reference source can help protect your investment for as long as you own your home, and it is impressive proof of consistent maintenance to prospective buyers.
