Honesty in Selling a Home

Your home is valuable to you for many reasons. Children may have grown up in the home, marriages and anniversaries have been celebrated. Your dog may be buried in the backyard. This is, unfortunately, not a selling point for buyers.

Attend open houses in your area. Visit the homes on the market that are similar in age, size and style to yours. Only take the information that is available when you are planning to sell since markets can change drastically from season to season. Honestly take note of how yours compares.

Things to take note of are yard size, fencing, updated kitchen, bedroom sizes, type and monthly cost of heating (especially in climates with cold whether), if it needs a paint job (inside or out), distance to schools or shopping and if the financing is being assisted.

If you are selling a condominium you can also consider how the view, amenities, strata fees and regulations compare to yours.

Ask how long the home has been on the market. A home that is not moving in a strong market may be asking too much. Do not use this home for your comparison.

Compare several homes to your own. Start with their pricing and add or subtract depending on if you are missing a feature or have a feature they don’t. By working with several examples you should get a feel for right price.

You can also hire an independent appraiser to validate the pricing you’ve decided on. Whatever you do, do not aim too high or your home might sit too long on the market – buyers will know this and stay away.

Pick the Best Price
Stay Local
Be Honest