How to Sell Your Home in 2015
2026
A lot has changed in the real estate market over the past few years. So if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, here’s how to sell your home quickly and for top dollar in 2015.
1. Market to mobile buyers. Nearly all home searches today start on a smartphone or tablet vs. a desktop computer or newspaper. To get the most buyer activity on your home, optimize your listing and photos for viewing on mobile devices.
2. Start thinking of your property as a product, rather than your home.
Selling a home isn’t like selling a used car. Your home holds many special memories and most likely occupies a big place in your heart.
When it comes time to sell, however, you must realize that your home is also an investment. Being able to change your ‘homeowner’ hat to your ‘investor’ hat is crucial. Here’s why: If you’re too emotionally attached to your home, you may reject a good price or fail to negotiate successfully with a serious buyer. Don’t let your emotions get in the way.
3. Don’t go on the market until you’re serious about selling. Many homeowners think they’re ready to sell but haven’t thought everything through. Do you have a place to go if you sell? Have you fully cleaned and de-cluttered your home? Have you taken your agent’s advice on staging and pricing? Going on the market before your ducks are in order may cause you to overprice the property or not present it in its best possible light.
4. Be selective about your agent. The agent you worked with to buy your home 15 years ago may seem the logical choice for listing your home. But a lot can change in that time. Are you sure your previous agent is still the best one for you?
With access to so much information online and so much at stake, talk to a few agents before committing. Get a referral from someone who recently sold. Go online to research agents’ sales activity and expertise. When in doubt, keep looking until you find the right agent.
5. Make a strong impression online. A buyer’s first impressions of your home today are on the Internet. If you list your home without complete information, including photos, description and accurate data, you’ll turn off potential buyers right from the beginning—and they may not come back for a second look when you’ve finally got your act together.
