Selling your home can be a challenging task

Selling your home can be a challenging task. With more homes on the market than ever before, prospective buyers have tons of homes to choose from. When you decided to place your home on the market, it is imperative that your home is in tip-top shape. By following these ten steps, you will have your home sold in no time.

1. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes

Remind yourself of why your fell in love with the home when you first purchased it. When you have decided what those features are, decide how to best enhance them so that prospective buyers will fall in love with those features too.

2. De-Clutter

People tend to accumulate a massive amount of stuff some of which buyers will think is junk. It is important to de-clutter so prospective buyers can see your home as opposed to all of your “stuff”. This also means removing some pieces of furniture so that the room appears larger.

3. Clean up the outside

First impressions are very important; the first thing a buyer will see is the outside of your home. Make sure the home looks charming and inviting. If the home does not have what real estate professionals call good “curb appeal”, buyers may not even bother looking on the inside.

4. Touch up the interior

Fresh coats of paint and repairing minor infractions make a big difference. Anything that needs to be repaired gives potential buyers a reason to give a lower offer.

5. Neutralize and De-Personalize

Neutral paint and décor creates a home for any lifestyle. It helps buyers see themselves in that space. Some buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they may not be able to do that if yours are there.

6. Cleanliness

Your home must be clean before selling – that includes walls, carpets, doors, counters and bathrooms. It gives the impression that it has been well cared for, which buyers love.

7. Air it out

If you have pets, get rid of as much hair and dander and pet odor as possible. If you are a smoker, rent an ozone machine, it helps get rid of the odor.

8. Establish a marketing plan

Choose a Realtor® that is familiar with your neighborhood and that has a proven marketing plan. With the hard work you have done to get your home ready for prospective buyers, you should have a good Realtor that will showcase the features and benefits of your home.

9. Set a realistic price right from the beginning

Since your home will generate the most attention and showings in the first few weeks it is on the market, it is of the utmost importance that your home is competitively priced in the market. If your price is too high relative to the competition, then buyers will not even look at an otherwise attractive property - particularly during the critical stage of initial market exposure.

10. Have an Exit Strategy

Know where you are going to move once your home is sold. If you have to sell your home before purchasing a new one, identify neighborhoods that you will want to live in once your home is sold.

Denise J. Beard is a Real Estate Broker with Crye-Leike, Realtors in Nashville, serving the Middle Tennessee area. She can be reached at 615-373-3456 or at www.denisejbeard.com.