Top 10 Tips to Sell Your Home for Top Dollar
1. Price your home aggressively

Setting the right
price for your home is the single most important decision you will make when
you decide to sell. Go too high and you risk turning off every buyer in the
marketplace, go too low and you leave money on the table. One simple but
powerful technique for pricing your home aggressively is to spend the day
looking at your competitors’ homes. By doing so you will be seeing the world
through the buyers’ eyes. Be tough and honest with yourself. Compared to the
competition what would be a price that would position your home as the best
value proposition for buyers in your marketplace?
price for your home is the single most important decision you will make when
you decide to sell. Go too high and you risk turning off every buyer in the
marketplace, go too low and you leave money on the table. One simple but
powerful technique for pricing your home aggressively is to spend the day
looking at your competitors’ homes. By doing so you will be seeing the world
through the buyers’ eyes. Be tough and honest with yourself. Compared to the
competition what would be a price that would position your home as the best
value proposition for buyers in your marketplace?
2. 
Use price points

Buyers don’t walk into
an agent’s office and announce that they would like to see homes priced at a
specific price like $227,900 dollars. Instead they ask to see homes between
price ranges that are separated by five to ten thousand dollar increments.
Because of this, consider setting your price near one of these natural price
points. For instance a price $229,900 would probably net you exactly the same
number of buyer inquiries as a price of $227,900, but moving your home down to
$224,900 (the next price point down) would widen your potential buyer pool.
an agent’s office and announce that they would like to see homes priced at a
specific price like $227,900 dollars. Instead they ask to see homes between
price ranges that are separated by five to ten thousand dollar increments.
Because of this, consider setting your price near one of these natural price
points. For instance a price $229,900 would probably net you exactly the same
number of buyer inquiries as a price of $227,900, but moving your home down to
$224,900 (the next price point down) would widen your potential buyer pool.
3. Consider value range
marketing

marketing

Another pricing technique that may be the ticket to more showings and
more offers is to use value range marketing. Value range marketing is a pricing
technique in which you choose a listing price based on what you would sell for
today if a buyer wrote you a check. You then choose another lower price – one
that you wouldn’t reject if offered but would use as a starting point negotiate
towards some middle ground. So instead of listing your home at a specific price
of $496,000 dollars, you list the home between $459,000 and $496,000.
more offers is to use value range marketing. Value range marketing is a pricing
technique in which you choose a listing price based on what you would sell for
today if a buyer wrote you a check. You then choose another lower price – one
that you wouldn’t reject if offered but would use as a starting point negotiate
towards some middle ground. So instead of listing your home at a specific price
of $496,000 dollars, you list the home between $459,000 and $496,000.

4. Offer a bonus to
selling agents
selling agents

The agent who brings a buyer to your home
is typically referred to as the selling agent or the buyer’s agent. In a market
crowded with inventory many sellers find it wise to provide an incentive to motivate
these agents to show their home more frequently. While you may cringe at paying
real estate brokers even more money, the fact is it may provide just the push
they need to work a little harder to sell your home for top dollar.
is typically referred to as the selling agent or the buyer’s agent. In a market
crowded with inventory many sellers find it wise to provide an incentive to motivate
these agents to show their home more frequently. While you may cringe at paying
real estate brokers even more money, the fact is it may provide just the push
they need to work a little harder to sell your home for top dollar.
5. 
Hire an aggressive listing
agent

agent

Not all listing agents are created equal. To find an aggressive full
time agent, take the time to research the market, talk to friends, neighbors,
and colleagues about who they recommend, and interview multiple agents before
making a hiring decision. In addition, be sure to come to an agreement about a
specific, documented marketing plan before signing a long term listing
agreement.
time agent, take the time to research the market, talk to friends, neighbors,
and colleagues about who they recommend, and interview multiple agents before
making a hiring decision. In addition, be sure to come to an agreement about a
specific, documented marketing plan before signing a long term listing
agreement.

6. Encourage two way
critiques

critiques

Successful sellers aren’t afraid of a little (or a lot) of
constructive criticism. In fact, they invite agents to give them helpful
suggestions on everything, from pricing to curb appeal, to help them secure the
highest possible price for their home. On the flip side, when hiring an agent,
be sure to find an agent that is open to suggestions. For instance, as a seller
you may find ways to improve advertising copy, flyers, photographs, or even
virtual tours.
constructive criticism. In fact, they invite agents to give them helpful
suggestions on everything, from pricing to curb appeal, to help them secure the
highest possible price for their home. On the flip side, when hiring an agent,
be sure to find an agent that is open to suggestions. For instance, as a seller
you may find ways to improve advertising copy, flyers, photographs, or even
virtual tours.
7. 
Offer incentives &
pre-paids

pre-paids

A buyer who has narrowed their search down to two or three top choices
may need a little push to motivate them to take action. To encourage buyers,
many sellers offer incentives like buying the interest rate down on the
purchaser’s loan, paying for closing costs, inspections, or repairs, or
providing allowances or credits for home upgrades after closing. In addition,
many sellers prepay for services like internet services for a year, taxes or
homeowners association dues, or even golf club memberships.
may need a little push to motivate them to take action. To encourage buyers,
many sellers offer incentives like buying the interest rate down on the
purchaser’s loan, paying for closing costs, inspections, or repairs, or
providing allowances or credits for home upgrades after closing. In addition,
many sellers prepay for services like internet services for a year, taxes or
homeowners association dues, or even golf club memberships.
8. 
Stage the home &
use curb appeal

use curb appeal

Buyers won’t pull the trigger unless they
become emotionally invested in your home. To help build a stronger first
impression start from the outside first by working hard to improve your home’s
curb appeal. Next move inside and stage each space by creating a focal point
and a story for each room. A set dining table, a book by the bed, or a game in
the kids room are all simple examples of www.
become emotionally invested in your home. To help build a stronger first
impression start from the outside first by working hard to improve your home’s
curb appeal. Next move inside and stage each space by creating a focal point
and a story for each room. A set dining table, a book by the bed, or a game in
the kids room are all simple examples of www.
9. 
Use a pre-appraisal
and pre-inspections

and pre-inspections

A pre-appraisal is an appraisal of the
home before a buyer has made an offer. By having this done early you will have
an objective voice that has provided a value for the property independent of
your own opinion and may be a great tool in talking with buyers. In addition,
many sellers do pre-inspections of the home to provide buyers with a clear
whole home inspection or pest and dry rot inspection. (A word of caution:
anything discovered during a pre-inspection will likely need to be disclosed
whether you fix the issue or not).
home before a buyer has made an offer. By having this done early you will have
an objective voice that has provided a value for the property independent of
your own opinion and may be a great tool in talking with buyers. In addition,
many sellers do pre-inspections of the home to provide buyers with a clear
whole home inspection or pest and dry rot inspection. (A word of caution:
anything discovered during a pre-inspection will likely need to be disclosed
whether you fix the issue or not).
10. 
Learn to fail fast

If something isn’t
working, successful sellers have the strength to fail fast by making
adjustments to their strategy quickly. For instance, if after implementing your
marketing plan buyers don’t begin to view your home on a regular basis, this is
a clear indication (a red flag) that the market is rejecting your price. There
is only one solution: lower your price. On the other hand, if you have steady
stream of buyers touring your listing, yet you aren’t receiving any offers,
this is often a symptom of buyers rejecting, not the price, but the home
itself. Something about the home is turning them off. Savvy sellers attempt to
identify the problem and take proactive action to correct it.
working, successful sellers have the strength to fail fast by making
adjustments to their strategy quickly. For instance, if after implementing your
marketing plan buyers don’t begin to view your home on a regular basis, this is
a clear indication (a red flag) that the market is rejecting your price. There
is only one solution: lower your price. On the other hand, if you have steady
stream of buyers touring your listing, yet you aren’t receiving any offers,
this is often a symptom of buyers rejecting, not the price, but the home
itself. Something about the home is turning them off. Savvy sellers attempt to
identify the problem and take proactive action to correct it.
To sell
your home for top dollar takes hard work and a commitment to position your home
in a way that attracts the maximum number of prospective buyers. By
implementing one or more of these techniques you will be taking the first step
towards a successful sale.
your home for top dollar takes hard work and a commitment to position your home
in a way that attracts the maximum number of prospective buyers. By
implementing one or more of these techniques you will be taking the first step
towards a successful sale.
Mainstreet Realtors® Corporate Office
8577 Haven Ave
Suite 101
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (888) 964-4070 | (909) 373-2200
Fax: (909) 586-3920