Your 7 "Must-Do" Selling Essentials

1. PRICE IT RIGHT
   Let’s get real, right now. Repeat after me...the market does not care what you paid for it or how much money you put into it. Just like anything else, your property is only worth what someone else, is willing to pay for it. Understand & accept that, and you’re half way to the finish line. Start right by hiring a licensed real estate agent. They’ll work up a professional Comparative Market Analysis to help you determine a price that satisfies your wallet, and entices potential buyers.
2. DETAILS, DETAILS, & MORE DETAILS
   Now is the time to share a list of all the awesome features of your home, as well as the not-so-pleasant ones, with your REALTOR®. This will help your agent create a compelling property listing that will display on websites, in social posts, or on flyers & postcards.
3. EMPTY THAT NEST
   When your REALTOR® tells you to declutter, do it with a vengeance. It's truly not a personal slight. If you need to live in the house while it’s on the market, remove all unnecessary items: donate, sell, rent a storage unit...but do whatever it takes to empty out the house to its bare minimum. If you’ve already moved out, empty it completely or stage it (your REALTOR® will know the pro stagers). When my parent's were selling their home, it was a tough conversation with Mom...I heard more than a couple times that she didn't like the it looked. I recell specifically saying, "Mom, it only matters if the buyers like it!" Remember, we want buyers to say “WOW!!!” — not “uh wow?”
4. TO UPGRADE, OR NOT TO UPGRADE
   A fresh coat of paint, deep cleaning, and new lighting and bathroom fixtures, and even cabinet hardware help to sleek up the place. Remember to keep it neutral and simple. Unless you’re a “flipper”, anything more extensive should be discussed with your REALTOR®, who can advise whether you’ll get a good return on your investment.
5. GET LOST!
   It’s soon to be not your hangout anymore, so leave the premises when the house is being shown to potential buyers. Lurking about, or telling stories about how the kids were home-birthed will pretty much freak people out. So don't do that.
6. IT'S NOT PERSONAL
   Speaking of detachment, if you’re not willing to negotiate offers that are less than listing price, or if you get an offer at listing price, and now you’re thinking you should’ve asked for more, you might not be as ready to sell the place as you thought you were. A good heart-to-heart with your REALTOR® might be in order.
7. GET REAL...REAL ESTATE AGENT, THAT IS!
   Working with a licensed REALTOR® makes all the difference in the world. They’re “people” people, so they have a vast network of associates and other pros who can help take care of all the details of selling a house. They're professional negotiators and dedicated to their craft — and most importantly, their clients.