When it’s time to list your home on the real estate market, it can be easy to allow yourself to feel nervous that your home may not stand out among the other homes you see on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Don’t fret! Instead of seeing the other houses as your competition, use the information those listings provide to your advantage.
Ideally you and your real estate professional would gather information from these other listings ahead of your own listing going live on the MLS. There are three main areas where you want your house to stand out:
Photographs
Most real estate professionals will retain their own professional photographers. While the pointing and shooting of the camera won’t be up to you, the look and condition of what they are photographing will. Think of your listing photos as the glamor shots of your home. These photos will be the first impression many prospective buyers will have of your home so it’s wise to be sure your home looks its best on the outside and the inside.
One big tip for making your house look its best is clearing as much clutter as possible. You are likely moving soon, so go ahead and purge your home of some of its personal effects like photographs, sentimental items, and the little conveniences that make your home liveable but don’t necessarily scream “Buy me!” In addition to clearing clutter, take time to maintain your lawn and landscaping. Give your porches a refresh with a new welcome mat and some fresh plants. Be willing to rearrange furniture or even consider professional staging so that buyers can envision maximum usage of every room or space in your home. Finally, deep clean your home so that it photographs clear, clean, and ready for a new family.
These photographs will tell a story of your home to prospective buyers. Make sure the story they tell is one that stands out among the other listings.
Price
It’s likely your real estate professional will take the lead here on helping to ascertain the most accurate sales price for your home. This is an area where their expertise and access to research materials will save the day. Before listing, your realtor will check it against comparables in your area. They will check market history over the past several months or years to see where your house fits into the overall picture of an accurate price point. They will see how it compares according to the price per square foot. They will let you know the range of prices in order to get you a quick sale for your home. In today’s very seller-friendly market, many homes are selling above the asking price. Trust that your real estate professional will help your house stand out as a great value among its competitors on the MLS.
Professionalism
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly “88% of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker—a share that has steadily increased from 69 percent in 2001.” What this means is that a majority of people who are looking to purchase a home are most likely to do so through the use of a real estate agent or broker instead of purchasing from an individual or “By Owner.”
One of the most important ways to make sure the home you are selling stands out from your competition is to make the decision to list your home with a trained real estate professional. Not only will their expertise allow for less worry and stress for you, the homeowner, but also they have access to vast tools that enable the process to be smooth and easy. Their use of MLS apps and websites, email networking, and social media as well as the professional level marketing tools like staging, photography, and property reports to determine accurate pricing give you a huge advantage over your competitors.