Selling your home is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make, and maximizing your return is a top priority. Done In ONE Realty not only helps you prepare your home to sell quickly and at top dollar, but we also offer a unique advantage that can save you thousands in commission fees. While traditional real estate agents charge an average of 3% in commission, Done In ONE Realty offers a 1% transaction fee, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned equity.
In this blog, we’ll explore valuable tips and tricks to boost your home’s marketability, followed by a detailed guide to the home-selling process. We’ll also show you how Done In ONE Realty’s 1% transaction fee could save you a significant amount of money.
Maximizing Your Home’s Value: Tips and Tricks
Before putting your home on the market, it’s essential to take steps to ensure it looks its best. A well-prepared home will attract more buyers and help you secure a higher sale price.
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Boost Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers will see. A few simple improvements can make a big difference.
- Landscaping: A well-maintained lawn, trimmed bushes, and fresh flowers can increase your home’s attractiveness. If your yard is overgrown or neglected, potential buyers may assume the rest of the property hasn’t been cared for.
- Exterior Cleaning: Power wash the driveway, sidewalks, and siding to give your home a clean, polished look. Consider repainting the front door or updating door hardware for added appeal.
- Lighting and Decor: Replace outdated outdoor light fixtures, and make sure house numbers are visible and clean. Adding a welcoming touch like a new doormat can create an inviting entrance.
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Declutter and Depersonalize
It’s important to create a clean and neutral environment that allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space.
- Declutter Every Room: Remove excess furniture, clear countertops, and pack away items that make rooms feel smaller. A clean, open space feels larger and more inviting.
- Remove Personal Items: Family photos, unique décor, or collections can make it hard for buyers to picture themselves living in your home. Keep things neutral and minimal.
- Organize Closets and Storage Spaces: Buyers are always interested in storage, so clean out closets, pantries, and cabinets to showcase how much space your home offers.
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Deep Clean Your Home
A thorough deep cleaning can make your home feel fresh and well-maintained, leaving a positive impression on potential buyers.
- Clean Floors and Carpets: Steam clean carpets, mop hard floors, and ensure that tile grout is scrubbed. Consider hiring professional cleaners if needed.
- Windows and Mirrors: Make sure windows are clean to let in natural light and give the impression of a bright, open space.
- Eliminate Odors: Whether from pets, cooking, or humidity, odors can be a big turn-off. Use air fresheners, candles, or essential oils to ensure your home smells fresh and inviting.
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Make Small Repairs and Upgrades
You don’t need to invest in major renovations to get your home ready for sale, but small repairs and updates can make a big impact.
- Fix Minor Issues: Replace leaky faucets, tighten loose doorknobs, and ensure all light fixtures are working. These small fixes can go a long way toward making your home feel well-maintained.
- Touch Up Paint: Refresh your walls with a neutral coat of paint, especially in areas that show wear and tear. A fresh coat of paint can make a room feel new again.
- Upgrade Lighting: Replace old or dim light fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options. A well-lit home feels more welcoming and spacious.
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Stage Your Home
Staging helps buyers visualize how the space can be used and highlights your home’s best features.
- Furniture Arrangement: Rearrange furniture to create an open flow between rooms and highlight the home’s best features, like large windows or a fireplace.
- Neutral Décor: Keep the décor simple and neutral to appeal to the broadest range of buyers. Neutral bedding, curtains, and accent pieces can create a calming, inviting atmosphere.
- Final Touches: Consider adding a vase of fresh flowers, tasteful artwork, or decorative pillows to make rooms feel welcoming and polished.
How Done In ONE Realty Can Save You Thousands
Now that your home is ready for the market, let’s talk about how you can save big on real estate commission fees by choosing Done In ONE Realty.
Traditional Commission Costs vs. Done In ONE Realty’s 1% Fee
When you sell your home with a traditional real estate agent, you can expect to pay around 3% in commission fees. For a home priced at $600,000, this means you’d pay approximately $18,000 in commission. However, at Done In ONE Realty, we offer a low 1% transaction fee, which would amount to only $6,000 for the same home.
That’s a savings of $12,000!
- Traditional Real Estate Agent (3%): $18,000 on a $600,000 home
- Done In ONE Realty (1%): $6,000 on a $600,000 home
- Total Savings: $12,000!
These savings allow you to keep more of your equity, giving you the freedom to reinvest in your next home or cover moving expenses without feeling the financial burden of high commission fees.
The Home Selling Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you’ve optimized your home’s value and learned how Done In ONE Realty can save you thousands, let’s dive into the steps of the home-selling process.
Step 1: Partner with Done In ONE Realty
Selling your home can be complex, but with Done In ONE Realty by your side, you’ll have expert guidance throughout the entire process. From pricing to marketing, we’ll ensure your home sells quickly and at the best price.
- Pricing Your Home: Our experienced agents will conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to price your home competitively. Correct pricing is key to attracting serious buyers and selling quickly.
- Marketing Strategy: Done In ONE Realty will create a custom marketing plan to showcase your home across multiple platforms, including online listings, social media, and open houses.
Step 2: List Your Home
Once you’ve partnered with us, we’ll list your home on the MLS and other popular real estate platforms, ensuring maximum exposure to potential buyers.
- Professional Photography: High-quality images are essential for attracting buyers online. We’ll ensure your home looks its best in all marketing materials.
- Open Houses and Showings: Our team will coordinate open houses and private showings, allowing potential buyers to tour your home in person.
Step 3: Review Offers and Negotiate
When offers start coming in, we’ll present each one to you and guide you through the negotiation process. We’ll help you evaluate the terms and work to secure the best possible deal.
- Counteroffers: If an offer doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll help you craft a counteroffer to adjust the price or terms.
- Contingencies: We’ll navigate any contingencies, such as inspections or financing, to ensure a smooth transaction.
Step 4: Accept an Offer
Once you’ve agreed to an offer, we’ll move forward with the contract. The buyer will provide an earnest money deposit, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Step 5: Home Inspection and Appraisal
Most buyers will conduct a home inspection and appraisal after the offer is accepted.
- Home Inspection: If the inspection uncovers any issues, we’ll help you negotiate repairs or credits.
- Appraisal: The buyer’s lender will order an appraisal to confirm the home’s value aligns with the loan amount. If the appraisal is lower than expected, we’ll work with you to adjust terms if necessary.
Step 6: Prepare for Closing
As the closing date approaches, we’ll assist you in completing all necessary paperwork and ensure the home is ready for the final walkthrough.
- Closing Costs: Be prepared to cover seller closing costs, which may include agent commissions, transfer taxes, and prorated property taxes.
Step 7: Close the Sale
On closing day, you’ll finalize the sale by signing all necessary documents and transferring ownership to the buyer.
- Final Walkthrough: The buyer will conduct a final walkthrough to ensure the home is in good condition.
- Sign Closing Documents: Once all documents are signed and the transaction is complete, you’ll receive your funds and hand over the keys to the new owner.
Conclusion
Selling your home is a big decision, but with the right preparation and the team at Done In ONE Realty, you can ensure a smooth and profitable experience. Our 1% transaction fee not only saves you thousands of dollars but also provides you with the full range of real estate services you need to sell your home quickly and for top dollar.
If you’re ready to sell your home and want to keep more of your equity, contact Done In ONE Realty today to learn how we can help!