If you are considering selling your home by owner, congratulations! You are part of a growing trend toward FSBO property sales. If you’re worried that going the FSBO seller route means you’ll miss out on all those great agency sales tactics, think again. You can do the same things that any real estate agent would suggest. To get you started, here’s a list of the top ten things you can do for your home when you’re trying to sell it by owner.
1. Create multiple media exposures. Homes sell when they are exposed to potential buyers. The more exposure you create, the more likely you are to sell. “Multiple Media” means listing it on a FSBO site, providing pictures, walkthroughs, and information buyers want to know. Advertise your home in the newspaper. Print flyers listing your home details and be available to show your home. Some buyers have turned to television commercials on real estate channels to attract buyers. The more exposure you provide, the easier it is to find potential buyers.
2. Clean rooms and closets. A house looks better and it looks better when it’s not cluttered. Remove magazines, books, furniture, stored items, and things you no longer want. You’ll need to pack all these things up before you move in, so why not start early?
3. Repair peeling paint and other minor blemishes. Peeling paint can be a sign of deferred maintenance, bad paint, or water damage. All of these things will turn a buyer off. Putting a fresh coat of paint on your walls and ceilings is easy and inexpensive.
4. Consider staging and research some ideas on the Internet. Staging is about making your home visually appealing to potential buyers. It may involve rearranging furniture, renting new furniture, repainting, recarpeting, or minor redecoration to bring out the best qualities of your home. Staging doesn’t have to break the bank, but a home that looks good sells. Anything you can do to improve the look of your home will help your buyer see its potential.
5. Price the house. Check out recent sales in your neighborhood to get an idea of what your home is worth. Don’t overprice your home because it is priced substantially higher than other homes in your neighborhood. You won’t be able to sell because overpriced houses, either Fsbo or MLS, don’t sell. Buyers want to feel like they are getting value for money. If your home is the most expensive in the area, buyers will focus on finding a comparable home that is priced lower than yours.
6. Always have a yard sign and flyers. When potential buyers visit your neighborhood to view a particular home, they will search for other homes that are for sale. If visitors don’t know your home is for sale, you may miss out on potential sales opportunities.
7. Fsbo sellers need to create an online listing for their home on the internet and may consider using FSBO marketing services that are available on the web. The key to selling your home is proper exposure, and your chances of finding a buyer are better when you make it highly visible to potential buyers.
8. Answering your phone is paramount as a Fsbo seller. Sounds simple, but many people who are selling their Fsbo homes miss potential buyers calling to inquire. Make absolutely sure that you or someone else is available to receive calls. Don’t assume that an answering machine or voice mail service is enough because many potential buyers won’t leave a message when they call.
9. Spend some time gardening. Making the exterior of a home look attractive and fresh is just as important as making the interior look good. Remove or trim the bushings. In the summer, plant attractive flowers, cover beds with wood chips or mulch, and keep things free of weeds. Mow the lawn frequently. If you don’t know anything about landscaping, check with a local nursery, garden club, or even a nearby university with a botanical program. Students are often willing to take on gardening projects.
10. Partner with a bank or lender to offer potential sources of financing for potential buyers. Local banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers may offer financing deals that can help a buyer get into your home. Provide all visitors with financial information from your local bank or lender when they visit your home. You want to make sure that any potential buyer is qualified to buy the house.
These are just a few of the things you can do to help your home stand out. In current market conditions, selling a home is all about price, location, and exposure. If you have these three elements in place, there’s no reason to think you won’t sell your home as effectively as any real estate agent.
