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What Are the Best House Selling Tips?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Selling a home is rarely as easy as hiring a realtor and watching prospective buyers compete to buy the house. Typically, there is a need to employ a few basic house selling tips that will help to generate interest in the property and allow the homeowner to connect with serious buyers. The process actually begins with choosing the right realtor and moves on through making some changes to the home and surrounding property so that buyers can see the potential and seriously consider making an offer.

One of the most important house selling tips is to choose the right realtor for the job. To this end, interview several before settling on which realtor will actually handle the property. Look into the background and history of the realtor, including his or her track record in terms of selling homes within a reasonable period of time, the type of commissions that are assessed, and the reputation of the realtor in the community. It is also important for the homeowner to choose a realtor that he or she can work with easily. Without a strong working rapport between agent and client, a number of issues can ensue that could hurt the chances of selling the home quickly.

Selling a home can require hiring a realtor.
Selling a home can require hiring a realtor.

Along with choosing the right realtor, utilizing house selling tips related to the staging of the home itself are very important. The idea is to clear out much of the personal items from the home, while still leaving enough furnishings to give prospective buyers some ideas on how their own furniture would work in the space. Realtors often recommend painting walls in lighter colors that are somewhat adaptable to various types of décor as one of the more important house selling tips. Even something as simple as using softer window treatments to help call attention to the natural light in the home or the architectural elements in the rooms can make a huge difference in those first impressions buyers form when entering the home for an inspection.

Making a house look good both inside and out is a useful strategy when trying to sell.
Making a house look good both inside and out is a useful strategy when trying to sell.

House selling tips are not limited to the interior of the house. Spending some time and effort on landscaping can go a long way toward turning a somewhat plain home into a space that is very attractive. At a minimum, the lawn should be manicured, and any shrubs trimmed nicely. The addition of other green plants around the landscape or even flowers in season will also add to the curb appeal of the home. If there is a front porch, simple arrangements of outdoor seating and some plants will go a long way toward making the area inviting.

Realtors often recommend painting walls in lighter colors.
Realtors often recommend painting walls in lighter colors.

Cleanliness is also one of the crucial house selling tips. Even if the home is staged to advantage, the presence of dishes in the sink, overflowing laundry baskets, and carpet that needs vacuuming will turn off potential buyers. During the period that the home is being shown, making sure the home is in proper order, all surfaces are clean, and even adding some cut flowers here and there or using candles to create an inviting atmosphere will go a long way toward invoking interest and possibly lead to an offer.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

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    • Selling a home can require hiring a realtor.
      By: Andy Dean
      Selling a home can require hiring a realtor.
    • Making a house look good both inside and out is a useful strategy when trying to sell.
      By: Konstantin L
      Making a house look good both inside and out is a useful strategy when trying to sell.
    • Realtors often recommend painting walls in lighter colors.
      By: beaucroft
      Realtors often recommend painting walls in lighter colors.
    • Choosing the right real estate agent is important when selling a home.
      By: Christian Kieffer
      Choosing the right real estate agent is important when selling a home.
    • Adding landscaping details to increase a home's curb appeal can help to sell it.
      By: sbgoodwin
      Adding landscaping details to increase a home's curb appeal can help to sell it.
    • The lawn should be well-manicured when trying to sell a house.
      By: Elenathewise
      The lawn should be well-manicured when trying to sell a house.
    • Making sure yard waste is collected is an important way to give a good first impression to potential buyers.
      By: Manuela Manay
      Making sure yard waste is collected is an important way to give a good first impression to potential buyers.