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Home Selling Tips

There are many things that are important when you sell your house and the list here is definitely not an exhaustive one. The following brief is to give you the basic guidelines to get the best deal from the sale of your house.

1. Choose the right real estate agent: While it is okay if you want to sell your house directly - and you are confident you can pull it through - it is usually better if you have a good professional real estate agent to do this job for you. To know whether the agent is a good one you watch out for:

a. The agent should have good references with a good turn over of recent listings; ask for names of recent clients

b. Before deciding make discreet enquiries about the agent in your neighborhood, amongst your friends and relatives

c. The agent should be easy to talk to. If you do not find yourself comfortable talking or asking questions, then definitely this is not the right agent for you

d. Choose an agent who can show you the minus points as well - one who speaks frankly - or you will never know why your house is not getting sold

2. Price your house well: Research the market before fixing a price for your house. Beware of the fact that most house-owners think their house is worth more than the market value. Be realistic and fix a price that the house really deserves plus a give and take of 10-15% for negotiations.

3. Ensure that the house makes a good impression at first sight (and later as well):

a. You will need to first of all have the house painted and cleaned thoroughly. The windows will need to be washed, shined; the walls cleaned (repainted preferably); courtyards should be free from any clutter and garbage or any waste; lawns should be mowed and garden maintained (even if that means to keep a part-time gardener); check that both the interiors and exterior are clean and give an open appearance; pay particular attention to toilets and kitchen cleanliness

b. If you are still living in the house when you have put your house for sale, remove all the clutter and keep the rooms furnished to a bare minimum. Remove clutter from staircases, closets and all those nook and corners in the house. Have the house aired, vacuumed and dust-free. The feeling and look of space always creates a good impression.

c. Maintenance & repairs: Check that the plumbing is in order and there are no leaking taps and/or pipes; check that the wiring is okay in the house, the house should be well illuminated both inside and outside for a bright and welcoming look; oil doors which creak, repair stairs that creek, and replace/repair any window that are not closing, or bangs when the wind blows; check and replace loose door/ window knobs

d. Ensure the front door has a welcoming appearance: The front of the house should be welcoming enough for the prospective buyer to feel good about entering into it; have a good door installed if your door is dull and ensure that it is impressive; have the foyer well illuminated and tastefully decorated. Ensure that the doorbell is functional.

e. Pay sufficient attention to the back of the house: Many commit the mistake of dressing up the front and leaving out the back. Most buyers are just as particular with the back as they are the front. Ensure that the back yard, garage, and surrounding are clean, well maintained and de-cluttered. In fact the back yard, just as the toilets of a house, will tell the prospective buyer the real level of maintenance of the house.

4. Lastly, be patient. You will definitely get the price you deserve for the house, and some times this takes longer. Stick to your guns, if you realistically priced your house, you will definitely get the price you quoted.