selling your Clearwater home

You’ve decided on selling your Clearwater home and the process can be overwhelming. Not to mention that everyone you know has all kinds of advice for you about what to do or not do. The problem may be that their “advice” isn’t very good! So don’t make these five big screw ups when selling your Clearwater home.

Screw up #1: price your home wrong. This can be so difficult. You live in your home and probably think you know what it’s worth. You’re probably wrong. Overvaluing or undervaluing, not pricing your home correctly can cost you thousands of dollars. That house up the street just sold for $X so why shouldn’t yours? Well, that house up the street has a completely updated kitchen, bath and extra bedroom. That’s why! But undervaluing is almost as big a problem. Many markets have been so depressed for so long that now that they are finally rebounding, many homeowners don’t realize their homes are worth more than they thought.

Screw up #2: having unrealistic expectations about the current real estate market. Yes, markets are picking up, but that doesn’t mean that there will be a huge bidding war for your home. So not entertaining an offer because “something better will come along” if the offer is fair is, well, kind of dumb.

Screw up #3: hiring a the wrong Realtor. Don’t hire your cousin, best friend or sister-in-law only because they are your cousin, best friend or sister-in-law. You need to hire a Realtor who shares your vision, and understands your needs. Gimmicky Realtors, questionable sales tactics and the lowest commission may mean you get sub-par representation in your home sale.

Screw up #4: not hiring a Realtor and selling by yourself. Did you know that selling your home yourself will cost you at least $40,000? Or that it will mean the home sits for at least a few months before you sell? Enough said.

Screw up #5: not disclosing home defects. Guess what? A home inspector is going to find that foundation issue or leaky pipe. You can’t hide them and it’s actually illegal to refuse to answer questions about it or lie to prospective buyers about defects if they ask.

Answer to all of the above? Hire a professional. If you are looking for a great Clearwater Realtor, give us a call today! 727-410-0336

The trick in selling your Clearwater home is making a great first impression. In Clearwater or wherever your real estate may be, the first rule of home sales is make sure their first look doesn’t turn them off.

Curb appeal

Curb appeal is the obvious place where first impressions are made. Walk outside and look at your home. Does it look old, beat up, in need of some TLC? What about the gardens and landscaping?

Make a list of all the things that need some help and get them done. Mow the lawn, weed the gardens, trim shrubs, plant some new flowers to add some color. If you have a porch, clean it up. Have your home power washed. If trim, doors or porches need paint, paint them. If siding is looking worn out, redo it. If windows need replacing, replace them.

All of these updates will make your home look fresh and loved. Plus new siding and windows will make the home more energy efficient, which is something buyers will love.

Have a friend check for smells in your home

Next, have a friend walk into your home, and through it, and tell you how it smells. You live there and are probably “nose blind” to how it smells. However, prospective buyers aren’t. If you have pets, how obvious is it by smell? What about food odors? Smoke?

Scent is the most powerful sense and bad smells can make a home that looks perfect, unpleasant and unsellable. A really thorough cleaning, replacement of carpeting and curtains and of any damaged areas that can’t be de-scented should do the trick. Then keep pets out, smoke outside and don’t cook with things that will make your house smell.

Clean and clutter free

Clean and clutter free homes are also important. Making the living areas, all of them, but especially the ones that are seen the minute you walk into the house, look spacious and clean is exceptionally important. Take time to clean from ceiling to floor everywhere in the home, pack up a lot of the items that might make things look cluttered and lighten up your house.

Buyers will buy if you give them a great first impression. Want more information about selling your Clearwater home? Give us a call today! 727-410-0336