The Hard Truths You Need To Know Before Selling Your Home, And We Will Tell You

July 18, 2016

You have made the decision to sell your home! Great, now here are some hard truths you need to know before selling your home… trust us you will find these out quickly after listing but we think it is better you know on the front end!

You have too much stuff. You do, we all do. Before listing/showing your home you need to do some major decluttering. This is a great time to start donating to Goodwill or have a garage sale. Remember – the less clutter – the bigger the house looks! Pro-Tip: Buy a pod – and fill it up with stuff you want to keep but don’t need in the home right now – it will help declutter and can be delivered to your home when you move!
If you have pets.. they probably smell, and potential buyers will notice. When we live with animals, we just get used to their smells and don’t notice it anymore. But most people will notice the smell – so try your best to deodorize. Pro-tip: Vacuum and wash all the furniture (including couches, beds, etc)
Renovations = Value You Paid For Them (SORRY BUT THEY DON’T) – Many people calculate the renovations they made and add that to what they paid for the home and think that should be the minimal sales price. However, most renovations cost more than they actually add to the value of the home. Pro-tip: The value of your house is based on the market – it doesn’t matter how many renovations you do – the market dictates the price. If you have questions about the value of your home feel free to reach out to us directly or fill out our home valuation form to learn more.
Showings are going to be a PAIN – but it is so important you allow them and leave during them. The easier a home is to show – the more people you are going to get to see that home. Also, buyers do not feel comfortable seeing homes when the seller is there. It adds awkwardness and doesn’t let them fully picture the home as theres. So at all costs – please try and leave during the showings. Pro-tip: If you have kids or a pet – have a plan in place for when you get a showing, we always recommend having a bag ready to go with snacks to throw in the car!
You need to be honest about any defects in the property disclosures. No fibs. In Tennessee, you are required to fill out property disclosures to state any known defects to the property. This is very important – and if you lie on this, it may come back to bite you. So it is always better to be up front and honest. Trust me the last thing you want is a lawsuit after the closing. Pro-tip: Fix any defects you know in the home prior to listing and keep the invoices to show the potential buyers.
You are going to hear things about your home from potential buyers that will hurt your feelings. We always request feedback from buyers and sometimes the feedback is not always what you want to hear. So please remember – it is not personal – and sometimes we can fix the issue to alleviate that objection. Pro-tip: DRINK LOTS OF WINE. FYI, Here is a list of the best wine bars in Nashville.