11 Tips to Sell Your House Like a Pro in 2016

Selling your home this year will make your property one of 5.4 million that the National Association of Realtors predicts will sell in 2016. Even with financial challenges, experts believe there will be a 5% increase in your home’s price this year.

The market isn’t  your only concern if you want to sell your home fast at the best price. Hiring a Realtor can be immensely beneficial, but there are many things you should know before you start the home-selling process.

So how do you get your home sold in the competitive 2016 housing market? Here are some tips from the team at Kuna. Many simple home improvements, including our smart home security system, can make you home stand out.

1. Remove Your Personality from the Home

Even if you’re an interior designer or managed to have created a cozy, beautiful living space, anything that indicates your home as “still yours” is going to turn off buyers. Remove photos, awards and personal effects. Same goes with over-the-top furniture and unique decoration pieces. The object is to remove YOU from the home, while still making it look cozy and inviting.

2. De-Clutter and Clean

Your home has to be the cleanest and neatest it has ever been. Buyers want to see that you’ve taken care of the property and have nothing to hide. There should be no dust, stains, leaks, trash or smells that can make buyers wary of your maintenance record.

3. Do Some Home Staging

Home staging highlights your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses, and makes it appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers. Home staging not only makes your house look its best at first glance, it also lets you raise the price a tiny bit—at the very least, leaving a lot more room for negotiation.

4. Use Social Media and Real Estate Websites to Advertise Your Home

A good Realtor will put together a virtual tour of your property and help you with online advertising. Even if you don’t end up using one, it’s still important to spread the word about your house online. You, your family and friends can help you share the details of your home to potential buyers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networks. Real estate websites or market places such as  Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow can expand your exposure beyond your area and social circles. Be sure to check and see what other resources are available locally, such as community bulletin boards.

5. Include Value Additions

If your home has smart security features, such as Kuna lights, show them off to potential buyers. If any large appliances or pieces of furniture can be included with the house when it’s sold, let potential buyers know! These types of bonuses will add value to your home and make it even more appealing.

A Kuna smart light let prospective buyers know that your home has a security system.

6. Compete with Condition

Even in a competitive market, price isn’t everything. Your home’s condition will make it stand out too. Fix every little thing you can find from doorknobs to faucets. Lessen cracks and imperfections. Get rid of pests. The better you maintain your home, the more attractive it is to buyers. Buyers notice the little things such as  energy-saving lighting, and even new locks and latches.

A well-lit exterior lets buyers know your home is in great condition.

7. Raise Your Curb Appeal

Spruce up your home’s front lawn, add  exterior lighting, and improve the facade of your house with the help of professionals like a landscape architect. This will make you home more appealing to scheduled visitors and people who are just driving by. Don’t forget to have a “for sale” sign out for people who may be interested.

8. Create a Video Tour of Your Home and Neighborhood

Shoot a video of your staged home and put it up online with your listings. Shoot another video of the community and its attractions, such as leisure facilities or nearby parks. Comment on the security, accessibility and recreational activities near your area.

9. If You Remodel Anything, Remodel Your Kitchen

According to HGTV, you’re not selling your house; you’re selling your kitchen. You’ll likely recoup 85% of your improvement costs if you do your kitchen and minor repairs only. Add modern appliances, and make everything like new again—as if you’ve never cooked there in your life.

10. Price Your Home According to Your Goals

With the help of your agent, research on how much homes in your location of the same type are being listed. Consider lowering your price by at least 5% if you are in a hurry to sell.

11. Put Your Buyer Hat On

Put your buyer’s hat on and walk thru your home like it is the first time,” says Marilou Young, an Accredited Staging Professional and an Associate Broker with Virtual Properties Realty in the metropolitan Atlanta area in the Forbes  Ways To Prepare Your Home For Selling article. This means visually inspecting your home and applying the same standards you would use for yourself in evaluating the space.

Selling your home fast, and at a good price, requires that you be a buyer, marketer, host, and interior designer at the same time. You may never get the price you want if you don’t put in some effort and tech-savviness into selling your home.
Do you have other tips to help readers sell their homes? Tell us more in the comments!

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