First time home seller..

Question

I am looking to sell my home within the next year - 2 years. It is my first home. I keep hearing how terrible the market is right now, and want to get the best value from my home that I can. I bought it about 4 years ago before starting college, in the hopes that I could make my money back when I was ready to move.

It is single family home with an attached garage, a non fenced in yard, 3 bedrooms, an unfinished basement, and two small baths.

What advise do others, both buyers and sellers, have that might help me?

Answer 1

2 years is a life time in the real estate market.

Answer 2

Get an agent because they really help you out also selling your house is not a good idea right now cause the market is down and you wont make that much money.Instead wait until the prices go up then get an agent and you will sell your house in very good price.

Answer 3

i just bought my first home in december and i can tell you a few things i was looking for. i really wanted more then 1 bathroom, a finished basement, hardwood floors and neutral colors. they always say keep the colors neutral because it's easier to see the area as a blank slate that buyers could personalize!

nice landscaping in the front and back will also draw people in. they want that "curb appeal"

i'm not going to lie, the market SUCKS! we bought our house for 50k less then it appraised for and the guy ended up taking a loss on it because he had to sell. with all the foreclosures on the market, it's hard to keep up with dwindling costs! so if possible, i would wait to sell

Answer 4

If you are not ready to move out.  Then wait - the market will get better over time.  There are 3 more years of APR resets in the pipe - so I would not expect any value increase for the next few years in most markets.

However - as anything in Real Estate - Location is key.

If you want to do some test marketing you could hang a for sale by owner sign out front, and see who takes the bait.  This technique works well if you have the time.  An agent is just going to cost you commission.  However an agent has a bigger base to advertise to.  

I would not look at home improvements off the bat unless the house is really dated. No need to reduce your profit unnecessarily.

Answer 5

I sold my first house in late May of this year.  The "horrible" market is a generic over view of the entire nation, your home's sale will depend on your particular area, and the price you are hoping to get.

I would neatly paint all the walls in neutral colors, taupe and white were my choices.  I would de-clutter the house, removing anything that makes the house "your" house.  You want it to be a blank canvas for people looking so they can see their stuff, not yours.  If you live in the home while showing it, keep it immaculately clean at all times for a 'surprise' last minute showing.

Plant some region friendly plants for curb appeal, and have some freshly baked cookies waiting on your viewing customers.

Also, research who you list your home with.  Call around ask for who is generating the most money through home sales, list with that agent.

Hope this helps!  Best of luck to you.