Selling your home is a huge endeavor, but many homeowners choose to do it themselves.
If you’re considering selling your home by owner in Fort Collins, there are a lot of important things to think about before you take the plunge.
This list of 10 tips will provide you with the facts and information you need for a successful sale that will bring you a decent profit.
1. Get Your Paperwork in Order
Before you decide to sell your home, you’ll need to make sure that all of your ducks are in a row. This means gathering up any and all paperwork associated with your home.
Whether it’s home repair receipts or information about your whole-home warranty, you will need everything documented for potential buyers. If the home is paid for, make sure you have a copy of the deed.
Organize tax records and any financial-related documents that are associated with your home. By having all of this together before you sell, you’ll be better prepared for any questions or issues that may arise later.
2. Come up with a Listing Price
It’s easy to become attached to our home and think about what it’s worth to other people. If you plan on selling your home by owner, you’ll need to try and put your emotions aside.
Look for comparable sales that are close to you within the last six months or so. Compare homes that are around the same size with the same style and number of bedrooms and bathrooms to get an accurate idea of how much you should list your home for.
Browse local Fort Collins listings near you to get a good picture of what you think your home will sell for. Since you’re not using a real estate agent, you’ll need to do your homework so you can be sure you’re listing the home for an accurate and fair price.
3. Check Your Curb Appeal
The outside of your home is the first thing that potential buyers will see, so it’s important that you have excellent curb appeal. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the outside or cleaning up the driveway.
A little bit of landscaping and new porch lighting can go a long way when it comes to curb appeal. You don’t need to spend a ton of money, but you definitely want to be sure the outside of your home looks enticing.
Ask a friend or family member for their opinion so you have a fresh set of eyes looking at your home. Make a few changes to give the house an elevated, updated look before you take pictures.
4. Clear the Clutter
For the inside of your house, you’ll need to start cleaning out excess clutter and personal items. Make the inside as clean and fresh as possible so potential buyers will be able to envision themselves there.
If you have a lot of stuff you don’t want to get rid of, consider putting it in storage until the home sells. Remove all personal photos and artwork that could make buyers feel wary of making an offer.
The key to a sellable home is that it looks like a clean, blank slate to buyers. Now is the time to toss out old furniture and broken items. You can have a yard sale if you think some of your items might be worth some cash.
Don’t forget to clean the two most important rooms in your home: the kitchen and bathroom. Make these rooms look sparkling clean and then take a few photographs for your listing.
5. Gauge the Market
There really is no “perfect” time to sell a home, but it can’t hurt to put your finger on the pulse of the Fort Collins market. Different parts of the country have various peak times so pay close attention to recent sales in your area.
Summer is usually a popular time to sell since kids are out of school and parents may have the time to start looking at new homes. Selling a home isn’t just about the season, however.
Take a look at current interest rates which is a good indicator of the home buying market. If rates are low, you’re more likely to sell your home faster and at a higher price.
Even if you’re planning to sell your home yourself, it can’t hurt to ask a local realtor for a market analysis report. Many realtors are happy to provide this service for free, and they can also run a few comps for you, too.
6. Consider Getting an Inspection
A home inspection is usually performed and paid for by the buyer, but it’s always a good idea to get one done before you sell your home. This “pre-listing” inspection will only set you back a few hundred dollars, but it could save you thousands in the long run.
When you get your home inspected before you sell, you can pinpoint potential problems and get them fixed. It’s a lot easier to correct major issues before you list than to haggle with buyers later.
Whether it’s your roof, windows, or the HVAC system, a qualified inspector can find issues that need to be addressed. Make those fixes before you list, and your selling experience will be a lot more pleasant.
7. Think Like a Business Person
When you prepare to sell your home, you will need to try to put all of your emotions aside. Remember that selling a house is a business transaction and nothing more.
Consider yourself your own business owner, and your home is an important asset that you need to sell. Look at various marketing tactics in the Fort Collins area that will get your home out there and visible to buyers.
Focus on the many new opportunities that will come with selling your home like a new job or location. Stay positive throughout the selling process and remind yourself that in the end, you will be able to move on and enjoy a new place.
8. Market Wisely
There are a lot of excellent resources to help you list and sell your home online. Take advantage of all of them, and list your house on as many websites as possible.
When it comes to marketing, make sure you include a lot of clear, crisp photos. Include pictures of the front and back of the house, any outdoor features, and all of the major rooms. Focus on the kitchen and bathrooms as well as any unique features like a fireplace or cathedral ceilings.
The goal of marketing your house is to reach as many people as you can, so spread the word as often as you can. Include your contact information on every listing so people can easily reach you if they’re interested.
9. Get Ready for Showings
Interested buyers are going to want to come and visit your home, so you need to be ready. Clean up excess clutter and make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are clean at all times.
Vacuum regularly and dust all furniture and bookcases. If you have pets, make sure that all pet-related odors are eliminated and that you have a place for them to go during showings.
Remove all towels from the bathroom floors and all pots and pans from the kitchen sink. In general, you just need to make sure that your home is spotless during the selling period.
10. Be Ready to Haggle
Since you won’t have a realtor to help you with offers, you need to be prepared to haggle on the price of your home. Come up with a minimum amount that you’d be willing to accept, and stick to it.
List your home a bit higher than you want to sell it for so that buyers will feel like they’re getting a great deal if they make a lower offer. If someone won’t budge on the price you want to accept, don’t be afraid to say no.
The goal of selling your home yourself is to save money on things like commission fees. Keep that in mind when you get offers so that you give the buyers a little bit of wiggle room.
Succes For Selling Your Home by Owner
If you’re ready to try selling your home by owner, keep these tips in mind for a successful sale. Work on your curb appeal and make sure that everything inside your home looks clean and fresh.
Market your house according to the Fort Collins market to make sure you’re asking for a reasonable price. Gather all of your documents so that you’re prepared when someone makes an offer.
