Do you want to learn how to sell your house for the most money possible? As a licensed real estate professional, I know what it takes to sell homes quickly and for top dollar. And, in this article, I’m sharing all my industry insider knowledge with you.
Here are my top 10 tips to help you sell your house for the most money.
How to Sell Your House for the Most Money – Top 10 Tips
One quick note before we dive in: when I talk about selling for the most money, I’m talking about net profit, meaning the amount you walk away from the deal with. Investing $200,000 in a full renovation would certainly result in a much higher sales price, but if you don’t recoup the investment, it’s not worth it.
So, rather than just throwing money at the property to increase its value, we’ll focus on strategic ways to increase the property’s sales price while putting more money in your pocket.
On to the top 10 tips!
Tip #1. Enhance Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers see when they drive by or pull up to the property for a showing. Investing in curb appeal can significantly impact the buyer’s perception of the home.
Simple lawn care alone can make a noticeable difference. Make sure the lawn is freshly mowed, hedges trimmed, and walkways swept clean. Inexpensive projects, like planting flowers, adding a fresh coat of paint on the front door, and installing new house numbers can quickly give your home’s exterior a polished look.
An inviting exterior not only attracts more buyers but can also justify a higher asking price.
Tip #2. Stage for Success
“Staging” simply means arranging the interior of the home to appeal to a wide audience. The more buyers you have interested in your home, the more leverage you have when it comes to negotiating the sale.
While professional home stagers can bring in furnishings and decor to create a cohesive interior, specifically designed to appeal to buyers, it’s often not necessary to hire professionals. You can do much of the staging yourself with the items already in the house.
Start by decluttering and depersonalizing. Remove personal photos, excessive furniture, and any items that could distract buyers. If you are downsizing, this is a good time to decide what to keep and what to let go.
Then arrange the furniture to highlight the home’s best features, like a fireplace, bay window, or breakfast bar. Add extra lighting and minimalist accessories to make the home feel inviting.
Staging helps buyers visualize themselves living in the space, which can lead to more offers and a potentially higher sales price.
Tip #3. Make Necessary Repairs
Buyers are quick to notice items that visibly need to be repaired. And they often overestimate the time or cost of repairs, which can lead to hesitation or lower offers. By presenting a well-maintained home, you reassure buyers about the property’s condition, potentially leading to a smoother transaction and more money in your pocket at the end of the deal.
Addressing minor issues such as leaky faucets, cracked tiles, and peeling paint can prevent these concerns. More significant repairs, like replacing a roof or updating outdated electrical systems, may or may not be worth the money, time, and effort. This depends on the cost of the repair and the potential return on your investment. Certain projects make financial sense under certain market conditions. This is why I offer a complimentary review of your home; I can help you decide which projects will provide a good return and which are unnecessary in today’s market. Simply contact me to arrange a time for me to tour your home.
Tip #4. Consider Updating Kitchens and Bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms significantly influence a home’s value. And you don’t need a full renovation to make a big impact; small updates can yield a high return.
Replacing outdated fixtures, adding a fresh coat of paint, updating cabinet hardware, and installing new countertops can modernize these spaces. In the bathroom, consider new lighting, mirrors, and fixtures to create a fresh look.
Buyers often focus on these areas, and even modest improvements can make your home more appealing, potentially increasing its market value.
Tip #5. Set the Right Price
Pricing your home correctly from the start is crucial. Overpricing can cause your home to languish on the market while underpricing can leave money on the table.
To make sure my sellers price their homes correctly, I complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for their homes. This analysis looks at recent sales of similar homes in the area, current market conditions, and unique features of my seller’s property. With these factors, I can calculate a strategic price point for any home.
A well-researched, competitive price can attract more potential buyers, create a sense of urgency, and lead to better offers.
Tip #6. Utilize High-Quality Photos and Videos
One hundred percent of homebuyers now shop for homes online according to a study from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). This makes high-quality visuals essential.
Professional photos and videos can showcase your home in the best light, emphasizing its strengths and making it stand out from other listings. You can even use Virtual tours and 3D walkthroughs to give potential buyers an immersive experience.
These tools can help create an emotional connection before buyers even step foot in the home. In fact, many younger buyers are relying on these tools rather than in-person property visits. In a 2022 survey, 90% of millennials questioned reported being willing to buy a home “sight unseen.”
Tip #7. Market Aggressively
A well-rounded marketing strategy is key to reaching a broad audience. Effective marketing showcases your home’s unique features and reaches potential buyers wherever they are.
Each of my sellers gets a custom marketing plan, complete with:
- A single-property website
- “Just listed” eFlyers
- A slideshow property tour
- Print advertising
- TV and online promotion
- Mobile brochures
- Neighborhood announcements
- Targeted online advertising
- Area Realtor® notifications
- Online syndication
- Social media promotion
- Email marketing campaigns
- Signage
- An open house (to area brokers and/or the general public, depending on what’s best for your unique situation)
The more visible your home is, the better the chance of attracting serious buyers. High visibility can lead to competitive bidding, driving up the sale price.
Tip #8. Be Flexible with Showings
Flexibility with showings can significantly impact the sale of your home.
I know it can be inconvenient to accommodate the schedules of house hunters when your home is on the market. But when you make it easy for potential buyers to view the property, you increase your chances of getting an offer.
We can also offer virtual tours for those who can’t visit in person. This makes your listing accessible to a wider range of buyers.
Being accommodating can create a positive impression, making buyers feel welcome and valued, which can reflect positively in their offers.
Tip #9. Negotiate Wisely
When offers come in, it’s important to consider all terms, not just the price.
Closing timelines, financing, and contingencies (stipulations that must be met to close the deal) can all impact your bottom line. For example, a slightly lower offer from a well-qualified buyer with fewer contingencies might net you more money than a higher offer that requires you to pay for repairs or closing costs.
As a real estate professional, I can help you evaluate each offer’s strengths and weaknesses. Just as importantly, with my knowledge of market conditions and training in negotiations, I can help you determine if an offer should be accepted as-is, or if it makes sense to reply with a counteroffer.
Smart negotiation can lead to a smoother, more profitable transaction.
Tip #10. Incentivize Buyers
In a competitive market, offering incentives can make your property more appealing.
Covering a portion of the buyer’s closing costs is a powerful incentive, as it reduces their upfront expenses. This is particularly important in light of the recent NAR settlement, which is changing the way buyer’s agents are compensated. Traditionally, sellers would pay a real estate commission (negotiable, but typically 5-6% of the sales price) to their listing agent, who would then split the fee with the buyer’s agent. Post-settlement, this arrangement is no longer a given, so many buyers are concerned about being able to afford an agent. By paying your listing agent less and offering to cover the cost of the buyer’s agent, you can attract many more buyers.
Additionally, you might include high-end appliances or offer a home warranty, which can add value by providing buyers with peace of mind about future repairs. Even flexible move-in dates can attract buyers needing quick or delayed occupancy.
These incentives can all make your home stand out in a competitive market, potentially leading to a quicker sale and more money for you.
Do You Want to Know How Much Your House Could Sell For?
Now that you know how to sell your house for the most money, you might be curious about how much you could potentially make on the sale of your home.
I’m happy to calculate a personalized estimate for you!
I can review your home, check market comparables, consider ways to quickly and easily add value to your home, and provide you with a realistic range of your potential profits if you were to sell.
Contact me today for a friendly, zero-pressure consultation.
