5 Things to Do Before Selling your Home

Before deciding to call up your friendly local Realtor to list your home it is important for sellers to keep some things in mind and do some homework to make your Realtor's job easier and sell your home faster and for the best price.

1. Check Comps
Although your Realtor will be pulling comparable properties listed and sold, it is important for you to also get an idea as well. This will ensure that you are not utterly disappointed or rendered speechless by what your Realtor shares with you. Remember knowledge is power and the more you know about how much homes have sold for, the better you'll be able to price your own house.

2. Check Your Loan Amount
Do a little digging and find out the EXACT amount you owe on your mortgage, not just an approximation. Now you can figure out exactly how to price your property, what the escrow fees and realtor commissions will be and how much you will net after the sale.

3. Identify Liens and Disputes
Be upfront about liens and property disputes with neighbors. Although it may be less appealing for potential buyers, these liens and disputes need to be disclosed to all buyers prior to closing.

4. Clean Up the House
You want to make a great first impression to your Realtor. The cleaner and brighter your home looks the more likely your Realtor is going to be excited about the listing and eager to price it higher. If the property comes off as dirty and unkempt then the impression is that the home was not taken care of and may need more repairs and thus fall into a lower price point.

5. Hold Off on Improvements
Before speaking with a Realtor you might know that your home may need some improvements for it to sell in the time needed. However, your idea of what is an improvement and gets the most bang for your buck may not be reality. Consult with your Realtor on what buyers in the area are looking for like granite in the kitchen or specific landscaping.

Do your homework and clean up your home and you will be ready to strategize with your Realtor on how to sell your house!