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The 10 Best Secrets for Selling Your Home

If you’ve lived in your home for the vast majority of your adult life, downsizing can be intimidating. You probably haven’t paid much attention to the housing market and don’t really know what it takes to sell a home anymore.

Don’t let this fear discourage you from following your heart and downsizing from a house to an apartment. Overall, the median listing price of a house was up 10.3% in January 2022 compared to January 2021. That means it’s a seller’s market, and since you don’t plan on buying another home, you’re already positioned well.

But, there are some things you can do to make your house attractive to buyers and ensure you get top dollar on your sale. And the best part is, none of these home selling secrets are all that hard to do!

Hire an experienced real estate agent – Many people think because it’s a seller’s market, they can make more money by selling their house on their own. While this may be true in some cases, it’s much better to utilize the resources and know-how of an experienced agent who can help you get the best price for your home.
Don’t overly upgrade your house – It’s tempting to do some updates on your home to improve value quickly, but many buyers like to put their personal touch on the home they purchase. You probably won’t get your money back on a massive home improvement project. Instead, put fresh, neutral paint on the walls and give everything a good cleaning.
Declutter – You want your house to appear as large as possible, so it’s best to eliminate unnecessary clutter. Organize closets and limit how much stuff you have in cabinets and drawers. Buyers will be nosy!
De-personalize your space – Remove family photographs or memorabilia from your home and consider taking down any personalized artwork. A neutral palette will appeal to more buyers and maximize your return.
Add lighting – Maximize the lighting in your home. Good lighting is one thing that appeals to every buyer. Do what you can to make your house look bright, light and airy.
Conceal your pets – Even if your house is impeccable, if there are signs of pets in the home, it could be a turnoff for some buyers. Consider sending pets to a friend or neighbor’s house and vacuum every space before having a showing or open house.
Always be ready for a showing – In such a competitive market, you have to be ready to sell. Keep your house clean and decluttered whenever your real estate agent calls with a showing.
Invest in good photography – The first impression of your home will happen before a buyer sees it in person. Make sure your real estate agent takes the most flattering photos possible to post online.
Update the exterior – Speaking of first impressions, the outside of your home can say a lot about the inside. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but make sure the exterior of your home is inviting, clean, and up-to-date.
Set the right price – One of the best secrets to ensuring your home sells quickly is choosing the right asking price. If you start too high, you could turn off buyers before they ever see it, and if you start too low, you could be underselling yourself. Trust the expertise of your realtor and set realistic expectations.

When you decide to downsize from a home to an apartment, you want to start that next chapter as soon as possible. By following these tips for selling your home, you can move onwards and upwards, feeling confident you made the right decision for your future.

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