Seller’s Guide

Key Points for Selling a Home

Ready to sell? Use this guide to make sure your home will be competitive on the market and attract buyers. We’ve outlined a few critical factors for preparing your property to sell – including how to determine the best price for a fast, profitable sale. You’ll also find a checklist for getting your home ready to impress buyers and tips for standing out at showings. Let’s take the first step toward closing.

Price

What Price is Right?

Remember: the best price for your home is whatever a buyer will pay for it.

It can be easy to use factors like what you paid for your property, what you want or need to sell it for, or what you feel like it’s worth to determine a listing price. But here’s the deal – the only price that matters is what it can reasonably sell for in your market. The longer your home stays listed, the less appealing it becomes to buyers and the lower the offers, so pricing right the first time is essential to securing the most net gain.

Reasons to Price Right & Sell Fast

The first few weeks you spend on the market are critical to securing your most valuable offers, and a reasonable price draws in the most lucrative sales. If your home is priced too high, you’ll lose prospective buyers to similar homes with lower rates. On the other hand, if you price too low, some buyers may wonder what’s “wrong” with your property. Successful sellers list at a price point that aligns with buyer expectations and matches that of comparable properties.

That’s why you need a…

Comparative Market Analysis

Before determining a listing price for your home, your Heartwood realtor will conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This consists of taking a close look at similar homes sold recently in your area and noting their final sale price. After identifying the best comparable properties, your realtor will calculate their average selling price – and that will point to the perfect price for your home. Pricing competitively makes sure that your home sells faster, attracts buyers, and gets attention on the market, and a CMA is essential to achieving those goals.

Presentation

Appeal to Buyers by Looking Your Best

It’s time to clean, organize, and make repairs.

Spotless, odor-free homes are the most attractive to prospective buyers. Any mess, clutter, or damaged features can detract from their impression of your property at a showing. Use this checklist to make sure you’ve spruced up every area of your home before putting it on the market.
Exterior

Wash windows, clean gutters, and mow the lawn. Make sure outdoor furniture is cleaned up and your entryways are clear of debris. Paint doors, reseal pavement, and repair screens if necessary. Organize the garage, remove clutter, and wipe down surfaces. Extra touches like flowers and grass seed over bare dirt make a difference.

Kitchen

All surfaces should be spotless. This means deep-cleaning the counters, fridge, cupboards, sink, stove, walls, and floors. Keep counters clutter-free and put away appliances when possible. Organize kitchen storage (buyers may look in your cupboards!) and make sure no odors from a trash bin or garbage disposal are present.

Bathrooms

Deep-clean the sink, counters, toilet, tub, shower, mirrors, walls, and floors. Repair any missing or peeling caulk from the sink or tub. Replace worn-out shower curtains and bath mats. Fix leaks and remove signs of mildew.

Closets

Re-organize and either throw out or donate things you no longer use. Clean doors, hangers, walls, and floors. Pack up things you won’t immediately need. Buyers want to see how they could use this space, and an empty closet looks much bigger than a full one!

Common Areas

Remove any clutter from counters and floor. Paint or wallpaper where needed. Concentrate on making your rooms feel clean and spacious.

Lights

Test all lights and replace burnt out bulbs. Dust and clean light fixtures.

Floors

Clean carpets professionally when needed, otherwise keep floors swept and vacuumed at all times.

Windows

Clean windows and touch up paint. Check that all windows open and close easily. Dust blinds and leave open for showings.

Odors

Remove odors from pets, smoking, and strong
cooking. This may mean having furniture, drapes, or carpets professionally cleaned.

Preparation

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Your house is on the market – now what? Prepare for showings, negotiations, and closing.

Once you’ve listed your property, you’ll be opening up your home and begin interacting with prospective buyers. Here’s a little advice based on our years of experience showing and selling homes:

1. Be ready for last-minute showings

Once your house is on the market, buyers and their realtors can request a showing at any time. It’s in your best interest to never turn them down, and you may not always have much notice. That’s why it’s imperative that you keep your home clean and looking ready to sell, so you’re never caught off-guard.

2. Stage your space

Little touches can make a big difference. Open up curtains to let in natural light during the day, and turn on all lights if a showing is in the evening. Make sure rooms remain aired-out and odor-free, and keep clutter to a minimum. Have nice towels or bedding that you save for guests? Now’s the time to use them and make your home look better than ever for potential buyers.

3. Go for a walk

Prospective buyers want to picture themselves in your home… not you or your family in your home. Leave your property entirely and go for a walk or take a drive when a showing is scheduled. With privacy, buyers will spend more time exploring your home and feel more comfortable imagining their future there.

4. Note recent upgrades

Have you recently repaired or renovated anything in your home? Let your realtor know of any new improvements to your space, as these will often interest buyers. Things like updated mechanical systems, a history of regular maintenance, or new appliances can increase the value of your home.

And now you’re on your way to a successful sale! Once you accept an offer, you’ll be under contract and work toward closing.

Closing Costs

Who Pays for What?

Closing costs are usually between 2-5% of the purchase price.

Buyer

Title & Attorney Fees
Including attorney, title insurance, wire and/or courier fees

Homeowner’s Insurance
The first year of your homeowner’s insurance is usually paid at closing

Lender Fees
Any fees from your lender to obtain your mortgage, including appraisal

Miscellaneous Costs
Such as inspection fees, prorated property taxes, or prorated HOA dues

You may ask the seller to pay for closing costs.

Seller

Transfer & Attorney Fees
Including transfer taxes, and attorney, wire and/or courier fees

Real Estate Commission
Commission fees are, on average, 6% of the sale price and are usually the seller’s responsiblity.

Outstanding Mortgage
Any balance left on a mortgage must be paid off at closing

Miscellaneous Costs
Such as negotiated repairs, prorated property taxes, or prorated HOA dues

Negotiations on charges & fees are possible.
Closing costs can vary, and we will work closely with you to accurately estimate fees.

Questions? Give us a call at  828-348-5720. We’d love to help you find your perfect home in Western North Carolina.