How to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar

I just got back recently from an extended Holiday in New Zealand visiting family and was surprised by the gusto that listings were literally flying off of the market.  This trend has continued over the last two weeks.  To that end I thought some key points on how to sell your home for top dollar would be helpful.

Did you know that according the National Realtors Association that 12,630 homes sell in the US each and every day?  Yours could be next.  Here are the key marketing tips I use to sell all of my listings quickly and for top dollar.

1.  Price your home aggressively

Setting the right price for your home is the single most important decision you will make when you decide to sell your home.  Go to high and you risk turning off every buyer in the marketplace, go to low and you leave money on the table.  One simple but powerful technique for pricing your home aggressively is to spend the day looking at your competitors' homes.  By doing so you will be seeing the world through the buyers' eyes.  Be tough and honest with yourself.  Compared to the competition what would be a price that would position your home as the best value for buyers in your marketplace.

2.  Hire an aggressive listing agent

Not all listing agents are created equal.  To find an aggressive full time agent, take the time to research the market, talk to friends, neighbors, and colleagues about who they recommend, and interview multiple agents before making a hiring decision.  Don't hire an agent just because they tell you what you want to hear.  Make sure your agent gives you a true picture about values in your marketplace, even if you don't want to hear it.  In addition, be sure to come to an agreement about a specific, documented marketing plan before signing a long term listing agreement.

3.  Stage the home and use curb appeal

Buyers won't pull the trigger unless they become emotionally invested in your home.  To help build a stronger first impression, start from the outside first by working hard to improve your home's curb appeal.   Remove the weeds, plant fresh flowers and spruce up your exterior paint if needed.  Next move inside and stage each space by creating a focal point and a story for each room.  A set dining table, a book by the bed, or a game in the kids room are all simple examples of staging.  Your Realtor will have resources to assist you with this.

5.  Offer incentives and pre-paids

A buyer who has narrowed their search down to two or three top choices may need a little push to motivate them to take action.  To encourage buyers, many sellers offer incentives like buying the interest rate down on the purchaser's loan, paying closing costs, inspections, or repairs, or providing allowances or credits for home upgrades after closing.  In addition, many sellers prepay for services like internet services for a year, taxes, homeowners association dues or even golf club memberships.

6.  Get pre-inspections

Many sellers have pre-inspections done of the home to provide buyers with a clear whole home inspection (A word of caution: anything discovered during the pre-inspection will likely need to be disclosed whether you fix the issue or not).  It's often easier and cheaper to do needed repairs in advance then trying to negotiate them later with an emotional buyer.