1. Be an educated seller.  Since you are on this website you are already one step ahead and one step closer to getting the information you need to prepare for selling your Lexington Ky home. 

2. Find a great agent.  Join the many who have used Miranda Hinchman for her expert knowledge of the Lexington Kentucky real estate market in combination with the wonderful programs that ERA Woods  Group Real Estate Brokerage company offer.

3. An agent will have the skills, tools and experience to get you more money for your home.  Thinking about saving on that 6% commission? Discounted commissions often offer discounted service.  A good agent knows their value and you will get your moneys worth from their services.   Per National Association of Realtor (NAR) statistics, sellers who used an agent had a median home price of $240,000 while those who sold on their own as for sale by owner (FSBO) had a median price of $180,000 (June of 2007).

4. Emotionally detach yourself from the home.  It is not your home anymore, it is now a house and piece of real estate to be sold.  You will need to keep a clear head and be able to make objective decisions during preparation for selling, contract negotiations and pricing.

5. Understand how the sell price of your home is determined and follow your Realtor’s advice.  You want to price to sell!  You will have strategic decisions to make, such as whether there will be negotiating room, will incentives will be offered and will there be any concessions or reduction to the price due to items like the condition of your home and/or how quickly you need to sell.  What is more important price or time?

6. What incentives will you offer?  Closing costs and prepaids for the buyer paid by you?  A bonus to the Realtor that brings you a buyer? An allowance for fresh paint?  Leaving that big screen TV for the buyer?  There are lots of creative incentives you can offer.

7. What about your house can and needs to be changed?  Focus on the items that you can change and that will have the greatest return on investment.

8. Prepare your home!  This crucial step can save you months of time on the market and thousands of dollars.  See the section on home staging for tips.  Some of the most commonly needed and best updates for return on investment are fresh paint and new carpet or flooring.  Listen to your agent’s feedback on how to prepare.  Your agent sees numerous homes and knows how buyers think and will be able to give you great advice specifically about your home.

9. Throw stuff away, sell it or pack it up!  You’re moving anyway, why not get started?  Boxes in the garage are better than stuff all over the house.

10. Consider quality programs that set your home apart from the others like the successful ERA Gold Star program.  This involves having the home pre-inspected, pre-appraised, providing a 1 year buyer home warranty for the buyer and staging and proper pricing.  Set your house apart from the all the others and make it easy for buyers to purchase your home.  Miranda can discuss all the details with you.

11. Develop an effective marketing plan with the help and guidance of your Realtor and revise as necessary based on your real estate goals and the interest you get in your home. Make sure you find a Realtor that is an expert in the latest Internet marketing techniques.

12. Evaluate your price and marketing plan every 30 days. If you hire a real estate agent, this will be done for you.

13. Determine how to prepare for your move.  What can be packed?  What moving company will you use?  Where will you stay if you sell before you are in your new home? If you sell your home before you are ready to move Miranda and ERA Woods Group can help you find a temporary residence.

14. Get an accepted offer and close! 

Make it easy as possible on yourself. There are hundreds of real estate agents in the Lexington Kentucky area. Choose one of the best, choose Miranda Hinchman. Send Miranda a quick email here.