Selling A Home: Eliminate Any Red Flags First

As home prices are rising this spring, home sellers are finding a new type of buyer; a more informed buyer.  Forbes contributor, Brendon DeSimone in his article Home Sellers: How to Stay A Step Ahead of Buyers, suggest that home buyers today are more knowledgeable and are collecting more information on any potential homes they may buy, whether that information may be good or bad,.

DeSimone suggest trying to eliminate as many red flags in advance of actually listing your home for sale and list eight steps to take in an effort to stay ahead of this new generation of home buyers.

Google your address: “Any number of things could come up in a search of your property address.”

Google the street view of your block: Does the street view of your house look the same as it does today?  While you can’t change the picture on Google, it will allow you to come up with a strategy should questions arise.

Research your home at the local building or planning department. “Nearly every municipality has online access to public records of each property.”

Search the address in the Kids Live Safe database. “Buyers with children will certainly find this tool essential.”

Read the police blotter. “It’s possible there could have been some type of crime nearby.”

Look up your listing and sales history. “It’s all out there” say DeSimone.

Take a lot of quality photos. “Today’s buyers are high-tech, curious and research-oriented, which raises the risk that they’ll run into those not-so-flattering photos from the old listing.”

Know the most recent comps “Know the backstory of any comps that aren’t in line with your list price.”

While these tasks may be tedious, know that the home buyers of today find researching potential properties to be an essential part of making any serious offer.  Be prepared and know what they may find.

If you are thinking of selling your home or just need to know the value of your home for any other reason, get your home’s value and comprehensive report in less than a minute, which includes local comparable sales at www.marylandhomevalue.net