10 Tips to Sell Your Home

10 TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME

It's not too early to sell your home. Get started with these TOP 10 TIPS!

GET CONNECTED TO A REALTOR®
Selling a house can be a complex process. A trusted REALTOR® —a member of the National Association of REALTORS®— can help you at every stage, from setting a price to marketing the property to negotiating the best possible outcome to close the sale.
SEE WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH
Your REALTOR® will research similar sales and competing homes in your neighborhood to determine where to position your home in the market.
UPDATE ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Carpet and paint can be the best and least expensive ways to add value to your home. Also, a new faucet or light fixture can make your home appear updated.
PRICE, TERM, AND MARKETING
Ask your REALTOR® for a marketing plan to sell your home. Your REALTOR® will keep you updated on current market trends.
LISTING CONTRACT
Your REALTOR® will guide you through the listing contract, and you will find out the seller's disclosures. If you are planning to buy after the sale of your home, visit with a lender to see how you can qualify and be comfortable with the payment.
DE-CLUTTER
Pack up, sell, or give away unwanted items. A home looks and sells better when you can see it. Remember clutter eats equity.
WHEN THE SIGN GOES UP
Keep your home tidy, add a pleasant smell, and be away from the home for showings. Your REALTOR® will follow up and provide you with any feedback.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Your REALTOR® will help you negotiate an acceptable offer, work with your lender, title company, appraiser, closing company, and line up any inspections.
PACK
Again, discard, sell, or give away unwanted items or call in the professionals!
MOVE!
It’s time to sign papers and close on your home! You will need to say goodbye to this house, but hopefully, you are moving into an even better home!

Why Sell with PARK CO., REALTORS®?

For over 65 years, PARK CO., REALTORS® has made our clients, the top priority. Our goal is to take care of our clients, not only during the purchase of your home, but after the sale. We take great pride in the fact that over 80% of our business comes from previous clients, referrals from previous clients, and community activities. We assure you that your REALTOR® is a part of the best trained, knowledgeable, and trusted team in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Every decision we make focuses on your best interest and making your move a positive experience. Our goal is to make this transaction as smooth and happy as possible. Our entire team of professionals is dedicated to providing excellent service. Hear what our clients have to say .

TOUR Our REALTORS® meet weekly to tour new PARK CO., REALTORS® listings. As the first agents to see these homes, our REALTORS® are able to provide feedback and match potential buyers to your home.
APP & WEBSITE When listing your home with PARK CO., REALTORS®, your home is placed on ParkCompany.com and the PARK CO., REALTORS® app. Our website provides the most accurate and up-to-date real estate information for buyers to find your home. Users can search by location, price, school district, MLS #, city, and more!
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY At the center of our efforts to get your home sold is professional photography. Most people look at homes online and look through the photos before even looking at the details, price, or location of the home. Great photos capture a buyer's interest. We have professional in-house photographers that know and understand real estate photography.

Preparing Your Home to Sell

KITCHEN (MOST IMPORTANT ROOM)

If the cabinets are worn, paint or refinish them.
Clean the ventilating hood.
Keep the counters clean and remove any appliances like the toaster, coffee maker, and can opener.
Leave a nice smell in the kitchen (i.e. vanilla, cinnamon-apple, etc.).
Remove hand towels and dishcloths from sink or hanging on the stove.

BATHROOMS

Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.
Remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, and sink.
Keep sinks and mirrors shining.
Repair dripping faucets.
If sink and bathtub drain too slowly, unclog them.
Replace old caulking around bathtubs if needed.
De-clutter countertops.

BEDROOMS

Put away personal items so that buyers can see themselves living in the home.
Straighten and organize the closets. Store out-of-season clothes so that the closets look larger.
Have beds made and pillows standing up instead of laying flat

APPEARANCES ARE EVERYTHING

Wash windows and replace any broken glass. All windows must open and close.
Make sure there is plenty of lighting, especially on the stairs.
Remove heavy curtains that block windows.
Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use brighter bulbs
Be sure every light switch works.
If you have a fireplace, clean it out, and lay some logs in it to make it look inviting.

ORGANIZE STORAGE

Clean out the attic, basement, and garage. Dispose of everything you aren’t moving.
Package everything you won’t need until you’re settled in your new home.
Stack items neatly against walls to make the garage look large.

CEILINGS & WALLS

Stick to neutral colors when painting and re-decorating.
Have the walls in tip-top shape — fix any cracks, dents, or knicks.
Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair, and repaint.
If your basement is dark and gloomy, paint the ceilings and walls a light color.

DOORS & FLOORS

For doors that stick slightly, rub paraffin against the surface showing signs of wear.
For sliding doors that stick, rub the tracks with paraffin or candle wax.
For squeaky doors, use a lubricant spray (WD-40) to eliminate the squeaks.
Clean your carpets, especially if you have pets.
If the tile or laminate floor is badly worn, put down new flooring. If a single tile is loose, apply heat to the tile with an iron covered with a soft cloth, to soften the adhesive – then replace the tile.
Make the floor shine. Clean any creaking boards or stair treads (drive two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the joist).
Vacuum or sweep the garage floor.

EXTERIOR

Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well-manicured lawn, neatly clipped shrubbery, and cleanly swept walks create a good first impression.
Cut back over-grown shrubbery.
Paint your house if necessary. This can do more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider painting front shutters and window frames.
In winter, walks should be free of snow and ice.
Inspect the roof, gutters, and shingles.
Consider putting flowers outside the front door.
Repaint the front door.
Repair broken outdoor steps.
Keep lawn closely cut and edged.
Make house numbers visable and place lighting on them in the winter.

INEXPENSIVE TIPS FROM THE PROS

Use Bar Keeper’s Friend to remove water stains from stainless steel sinks and scratches in porcelain.
Use a pumice stone to remove rust stains from toilet bowls, porcelain tubs, and sinks.
Use baking soda and a wet cloth to remove stains from light countertops.
Use white vinegar to remove carpet stains, and unclog shower heads, or clean kitchen sprayers.

Download PDF Version of "Preparing Your Home To Sell"

Why Should You Consider Offering a Home Warranty When You Sell Your Home?

YOU RECEIVE FREE* COVERAGE DURING YOUR LISTING PERIOD.
A home warranty can protect you against the potential cost of repairs or replacements during your listing period. Look for a warranty that covers major mechanical systems such as furnaces, central air, and water heaters during the listing period. These are the items that could either make or break the on-time closing of your home.

A WARRANTY CAN HELP YOUR HOME SELL QUICKER.
A warranty for your home will enhance its value to prospective buyers. This typically results in a 15% faster sale than similar homes without warranty coverage.

HOMES THAT ARE MARKEED WITH A HOME WARRANTY TYPICALLY SELL AT A HIGHER PRICE.
The home warranty can be used as a contract-negotiating tool to receive the best possible price for your home. Homes with a warranty sell 3% closer to the asking price than homes without a warranty.

HOMES THAT INCLUDE WARRANTIES ATTRACT MORE BUYERS THAN SIMILAR HOMES WITHOUT A WARRANTY.
More than 80% of home buyers, nationally, say they prefer to purchase a house which includes a home warranty. Experience a greater chance of selling your home with a warranty.

HOME WARRANTIES REDUCE YOUR LIABILITY AFTER THE SALE.
Protect yourself from the potential of post-sale property conditions that can lead to additional expenses after closing. For your protection, provide a comprehensive warranty that includes the major mechanical failures and structural coverage for the buyer.

PARK CO., REALTORS® partners with HSA Home Warranty. For more information, visit their website at www.onlinehsa.com.

*NOTE: Maximum free coverage is 12 months. Free coverage is not available in all states. The seller pays nothing if the home does not sell, even if service requests have been paid. Source: National Home Warranty Association