Selling Your Home
The Home Selling Process
Selling your home is a big decision and we are here to help. John R. Coughlin Inc. Realtors is your knowledgeable and trusted partner, providing you with advice and guidance throughout the process.
To prepare for the sale of your home, we offer some valuable tips that will help you understand the selling process. These steps can help you find the serious home buyers who seek properties like yours.
Of course, we all want the highest price for our home when we sell, but, to avoid setting an unrealistic selling price on your home we will develop a Comparative Market Analysis (COMP) to assist in determining your home’s value. This essential tool compares homes of similar location, size and features that have sold recently to develop an estimate of the market price of your home.
In addition to the COMP, we will use our years of expertise to help you evaluate your home’s amenities and provide you with guidance on the best asking price for your home. Our commitment is to get your your house sold, while also receiving the highest and best price.
The first impression a buyer gets is the condition of your home. From curb appeal, to overall structures and the safety of your home, items of concern should be addressed before putting it on the market.
Repairs are beneficial, while upgrades are vital. Fresh paint, new carpeting, a de-cluttered, de-personalized and clean home can make or break a sale. A buyer needs to be able to envision themselves in your home with their belongings.
Please see our section below about staging your property.
When you list your home with John R. Coughlin, Inc. Realtors, we’ll give you a strong exposure through the powerful network of nationally registered IDX listings to local and out-of-town buyers.
As an affiliate of IDX (Internet Data Exchange) we can market your property to a large audience of interested buyers locally and throughout the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 14.19% of the population in the United States moved last year.
Getting the best price for your property usually involves a negotiation between the buyer and yourself. Most buyers begin by making an offer for less than what the asking price is. When an offer is presented to you we will discuss the terms to see if it is acceptable to you. If it does not meet with your approval, we will negotiate a counter offer. If you feel your home is priced competitively, don’t hesitate to make a full-price counter offer.
Concessions and financing details are a part of this process. When a contract is written, things such as required down payments, contingency dates of a building inspection and other aspects often arise. Each sale is different so we work closely with you to make sure these contingencies and deadlines progress and are met as quickly as possible.
Finally, the Closing date and time is arranged. All parties attend to sign the necessary paperwork to complete your sale, as well as, transfer the Title of the property from you to the buyer.
Staging Your Home
The key steps to staging a home are simply to keep it clean, clear of clutter and to make sure the furniture style is classic and the color palette is neutral. This makes it easier for a potential buyer to envision how their future home will look, once they move in. It also gives the buyer the message that their future home has been well-cared for.
First impressions are the most important thing to remember when you begin to stage your home. The first area that a buyer enters should make a positive impression on them. Be sure to pay special attention to clutter, switches that are broken, light bulbs that don’t work and anything that could sway the buyer’s opinion when they enter that first space.
What Areas Should I Stage?
The Kitchen is a dual purpose room…..cooking and socializing. Clear the counters and have as little as possible visible by putting things away, especially after you use them. Keep the countertops free of many small appliances. Set a pretty kitchen table, as though a meal were about to be served.
Bathrooms, (both the guest and master) should always be kept clean and free of toiletries. Make sure the horizontal spaces are free of clutter and things like hairdryers are put away. Keep fresh towels and bath mats in place and remove wet towels. Always make sure the sink, tub and toilet are clean.
Livingrooms are where most people spend their free time. A sectional that is too large for the room can make the living area appear too tiny and pathways difficult to walk through. By using appropriately sized furniture for the living room you offer the buyer a chance to envision their own furniture in the space. Remove piles of magazines, children’s toys anything that will distract the buyer from actually seeing the room.
The Master Bedroom should look comfy and inviting. Always make sure your bed is made. Pillows and coordinating comforters can add that special appeal to the coziness of a bedroom. Clear your closet by removing at least half of the contents that are in it, to create the look of a larger storage area.
By evaluating each and every room in your home and eliminating clutter, you are giving the buyer more of a chance to see the actual space rather than getting visually stuck on all the contents that cover up the room. The old saying “Less is More”, is a perfect rule to follow. De-cluttering is the number one recommendation we can offer when staging a home.
Always remember to have your home clean and ready to be shown at all times. No dishes in the sink, kids toys scattered about the living room or dirty laundry-wet towels left on the bathroom floor. The ultimate goal of staging is to make your home look spacious, clean and organized, ready for the next person to own.
Office/ 603-357-0666 – Cell/ 603-762-2959
J.R. Coughlin Inc., Realtors
Our Commitment To Our Sellers
At John R. Coughlin Inc., Realtors, we will prepare a solid marketing plan that reaches out to buyers who are looking for a property like yours. With our years of experience, you can count on us to bring the right buyer to you! Please contact us if you would like more information or have any questions about selling your property.
