Selling a home can be cumbersome and difficult, so hiring an agent to represent you can help alleviate some of those stressors. When you are ready to sell, keep in mind that you can only control what you can control. 

You can control:

Condition of the property. Try to minimize the clutter. You are moving so start packing away those out of season clothes and box up any items you don’t use every day. Clean up those areas that easily become stockpiles, like the garage and your closets.  

Mow the lawn if the weather permits, and plant a few flowers to add a little color to clean beds for a nice curb appeal. Pay extra attention to the front door and porch area because potential buyers are greeted by this first impression. Give the door a good scrub down and sweep off any debris from the porch. Garage doors are also important if they face the street.

Keep your house tidy. You never know when a possible buyer will want to schedule a showing, and it sometimes happens at the worst time. Plan for at least one day a week to do a thorough cleaning to make maintaining it the rest of the week easier.  

Walk through the house with the intention to repair or replace items that are broken or not working. Drippy faucets, loose knobs, squeaky doors, even light bulbs that are burned out can affect the speed of your sale and possibly the selling price. 

Availability. While your house is listed your goal is to have potential buyers schedule a showing. Be flexible with the times and days you are prepared to leave your house for a potential buyer. Have a plan in mind for pets and even ideas for what you and the kids will do at various times of the day, any day of the week.  

Price. Price can be a major decision when selling your house. Your agent can provide a market analysis that will show you three major considerations when determining the market range for your property.

Homes that have recently sold is your best barometer to determine what buyers are willing to pay for a comparable home in your area. Homes that are currently on the market for sale in your area will give you an idea of the competition. Finally, homes that have failed to sell can help you gain some insight on what buyers are not interested in or perhaps what price is too high. 

Only you know what is motivating you to sell. Your agent will be providing the most current market conditions, so you can make an informed decision when setting a sales price. 

Home Warranty. Be prepared to provide a home warranty plan for your buyer. The plan should last at least one year and cover the major appliances, heating and air conditioning, and overall function of the house. Providing a home warranty plan will give your buyer some peace of mind and may help close your deal. 

There are some conditions that you cannot control.  

• Competition

• Market

• Economy

• Interest Rates

• Location

Remember, the things you can’t control are not worth stressing over. Your agent will help you manage the things you can control to make the process of selling your house easier and less stressful on you.