8 Secrets to Selling Your Home That People Often Forget

Selling your home can be an overwhelming process. Whether you’re selling in a low inventory market that favors sellers or one where the buyer is king, there are more than a few factors to consider. Read on for a list of best-kept secrets that can make all the difference in selling your New York City property – and may get you a far higher asking price.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. The classic adage rings true in every kind of real estate dealing, from luxury New York City property to kitschy beach bungalows. Curb appeal isn’t just a buzzword. It’s an essential component in selling your home. Buyers have already formed an opinion of your home before they ever step through the front door, and this first impression sets the tone for the rest of the showing. When a potential buyer walks up to your front door, they notice everything — the state of the yard, the cobwebs in the corner of the porch, and the pile of keys on the foyer table. Even the front door's color can influence their decision, so take care to manicure your space, add some brightly colored flowers, trim the hedges, and make the front area and entryway as welcoming as possible.

The storage struggle is real, especially living in New York City, and storage space seems to always be at a premium, no matter the size of the property. Buyers will open closets, cupboards, and cabinets to check out how much space this potential new home has, so be prepared for some honest snooping — and organize accordingly. Make sure to empty half the contents of your closets and cabinets and neatly arrange what’s left. This will not only show off the available storage to the best of its ability, it will also allow you to weed through your belongings and stash away any personal or valuable items.

Buyers often list good lighting as one of the most important factors in searching for a new home, and this is especially true of the New York City real estate market. Is your home bright and cheerful or dim and dark? Take a walk through your house with lighting in mind and check out the situation. Are your bulbs low wattage and yellow? If so, switch to a cool white LED option. Make sure the windows are clean and streak free, and consider removing any draperies to allow full sunlight to flood the place — it can make a big impact on potential buyers.

Home buying is an aspirational experience. Buyers want to be able to see themselves living their best lives in this house. They want to imagine their own furniture and photos filling the rooms. If your home is over-furnished or has too many personal touches, it may be more of a challenge for a buyer to activate their imagination.

 

Try walking through your house and looking at each room like a stranger on the property. Are there framed photos covering every free inch of counter space? Do you have boxes piled up, or are toys strewn about? Box up anything you can live without, store any extra furniture, and let your home’s natural beauty shine through.

Quick fixes are helpful and can also mean the difference between a property lagging on the market and one getting multiple offers in the first weekend. Now is the time to patch any picture frame holes, touch up paint, fix leaky faucets, clean grout lines, and replace cabinet hardware or door knobs. The small updates and refreshes will help show your home in the best light, while major upgrade projects may not get you a return on your big investment, stick to the small stuff and save the design plans for your new home.

You never know when a potential buyer may come knocking. Last-minute showings are a very real possibility, and a motivated seller needs to be able to jump on every opportunity to show off their residence. So how can you be ready for that knock on the door? Live every day in tip-top shape. You have already decluttered, stored your personal belongings, and organized your remaining items – now all you have to do is clean as you go. Wash those breakfast dishes immediately after use, neatly contain laundry in their basket, and keep those bathrooms sparkling. Whether doing the work yourself or enlisting help as a housekeeper or cleaning service, don’t skip this step — it can ensure a quick sale.

Open houses and showings can be confusing for animals, whether your family has a gregarious Golden Retriever or a timid little tabby. Strangers are wandering through their space, which may feel alarming, so make sure to take precautions before the first potential buyer shows up. You may want to make arrangements to take your dog for a walk during the showing or take your feline friend on holiday to a trusted friend or family member’s home.

 

Not only will this keep your pets safe and eliminate the worry about them sneaking out through an open door, but it’ll also keep the space calm and welcoming to any kind of buyer. Not everyone loves animals, and some people have allergies, so keeping the furry one safe, sound, and stowed away is your best bet. Go the extra step and conceal their toys, food, and les toilettes to create the most welcoming feel for buyers.

This little-known secret in real estate is key for a successful sale —  list your home, not at the price you want, but about 15-20% under what the property is worth. This may sound counterintuitive, but this trick can lead to a stampede of buyers vying for your home, multiple bids, and a deal well over your home’s market value. Talk to your agent and take some extra time to strategize your list price — you’ll find going a little under the list price is well worth the risk, no matter the market climate.

 

Contact expert agent Anil Jintoorkar today to tour New York City luxury real estate, including Coop, Condo, and Condop options.