If you want to sell your home, you can benefit from the services of a Malibu real estate agent. An experienced agent can help you find a qualified buyer and make the transaction as smooth as possible for you. However, there may be a specific reason why you do not want to work with a real estate agent. If that is the case, then you can use these tips to sell your home on your own.
Creating Advertisements
Your advertisements can either entice potential buyers to visit your home or drive them away completely. Because advertising space is so expensive, many real estate pros have turned to other methods of advertising. Online real estate listings, local Craigslist websites and other alternative advertising methods can help you save a lot of money as you market the home you have for sale. Your ad should be very clear about what you are offering. Potential buyers will not be happy if they are expecting a 4 BR home and they show up at your house and find only two bedrooms. If the advertising service allows you to post photos, make sure you post the best photos available. No one wants to see pictures of dirty laundry or a couch covered with crumbs. Tidy up before you take the photos and make sure you take them in the best light. Without enough light, your home can look like a dungeon instead of a comfortable residence.
Word-of-Mouth Promotion
Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a buyer for your home. Your spouse, kids, parents, cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles, colleagues and friends can spread the word to all of the people they know, making it more likely that you will find someone interested in purchasing the house. If allowed, announce that your home is for sale at your next association meeting or church event. Let people living in Malibu rentals know about the listing. This can help the word spread throughout your entire community.
Open House Events
How you conduct an open house event can make or break the sales process. Do not invite people into a messy, crowded home. Make sure everything is put away where it belongs and that all surfaces are clean and free of clutter. The kitchen and bathroom should be especially clean, as many people pay close attention to these areas. You may want to consider doing some home staging to help potential buyers picture themselves in your house. If your kitchen is fluorescent yellow, it may keep buyers from making an offer. Paint the walls in neutral colors and put away photos and other personal items.
Legal Advice
Even if you do not use the services of a Malibu real estate agent, you should hire an attorney to help you protect your interests. You may want the prospective buyer to put 10 percent of the sale price in escrow. An attorney can help you create an agreement that includes these terms. Your attorney should review any sales agreements, contracts and other documents before you sign them. This can protect you against the actions of unscrupulous buyers.
Russell Grether of Compass Real Estate is a real estate agent based out of Malibu, CA. He specializes in Malibu real estate, Malibu homes for sale, Malibu properties, Malibu Land for sale, Malibu rentals and surrounding area real estate from Montecito to the Pacific Palisades.
