How to sell your home for the most money as a For Sale By Owner in 2021

Ironically, many of us are just fine living in our home the way it is. When it comes to selling it, however, it quickly needs improvements! There are repairs we may have let go of just a bit, or we may not have kept up with the latest trends, but now we want to sell quickly for the maximum price so something must be done. A seller’s first step is to work out how to sell your home for maximum profit.

One of the biggest reasons to make changes to a property is to make the biggest profit. Spending $25,000 to increase a home’s asking price by $10,000 makes little sense. Decisions need to be made wisely. Here are some questions Sellers should ask in order to work out how to sell your home for maximum profit.

How to sell your home and save money on commission fees

Sell it As A “For Sale By Owner” 

The biggest reason people sell their homes FSBO (for sale by owner) is to maximize profit. Saving 3-6% in real estate commissions makes a big impact. That 6% on a $400,000 sale for example, is $24,000. That’s 124grand right off the top that you’ll never see. Sure, there are some things you’ll have to do differently, and it may require a bit more involvement and effort but that 3-6% is not insignificant!

Listing a home on your own is probably the most effective way to increase your bottom line. It may be easier than you think. 

Are there inexpensive upgrades I can make that will pay dividends?

Improve the Landscaping and Exterior to sell your home

Images play a more important role than ever in the sale of a home. The better a home appears in a video or graphic, the quicker it will likely sell, and the better price it will likely retrieve. This is particularly important in exterior photos. The good news is many exterior projects, like painting, trimming, mowing, and landscaping can be relatively inexpensive when you do it yourself. Remove any outside items that may be unattractive or may make the yard look smaller. Give that fence or outbuilding a fresh coat of paint. Fixing bare spots in the grass, mulching around bushes and trees, and planting flowers can all pay nice dividends when selling. It will also make your home more attractive in photos. 

Will decluttering and cleaning increase my home’s sale price?

Clean and Clear the Interior to Entice Offers

Another way to maximize profits is by making an effort to deep clean and clear your interior rooms and closets. Prospective buyers will look everywhere and notice everything. You can count on it and use it to your advantage. Minimize what is in closets and cabinets to make storage space appear larger. Clean the windows, sills, and frames. You may even want to clean out that utility drawer to finally see just what all is in there. You may be moving soon anyway! Have carpeting and flooring deep cleaned. You may want to go so far as to make sure the top of your water heater and refrigerator is dust-free. Remove more personal items from rooms like family photos, collections, or mementos. These personal items can make it harder for a buyer to imagine the home as their own.

Will Home Staging add value to sell my home?

Stage Your Home To Help Achieve Your Listing Price and sell your home

Staging your home goes beyond cleaning and clearing to make your home look its best. It is decorating and furnishing it for quick sale at a maximum price. That means improved profits. A staged home generally uses a minimum amount of newer, contemporary furniture strategically placed not for convenience or “living,” but to dress up the home. Staging helps show off a home’s best features. Dining room tables are often staged by being set up with tableware and a centerpiece. Large faux plants are frequently placed in living areas. The goal is to create a model-home type of appearance and make the living space appear bigger.

There are professional staging companies in South Florida that will do this for you, even going so far as to rent furniture for staging. If you want to maximize return and increase profits, you can do it yourself. Do a little research to get staging ideas and give it a go! If decorating isn’t your thing, call a pro. 

What Upgrades Have the Best Return On Investment?

Choose the Most Profitable Upgrades to sell your home

Some upgrades, like painting in neutral colors, is a no-brainer when selling. Paint is inexpensive and gives a home a fresh appearance. Sure, it’s a bit of work, but you’re not afraid of that, especially if it means a few more bucks in your pocket. Other relatively inexpensive upgrades that have a nice return on investment include a new steel entranceway door, a new garage door, security updates like deadbolts and upgraded window locks, and minor kitchen and bath remodels. If your roof is in need of replacement, replacing it will be a major expense, but it is one that will usually pay for itself upon a home’s sale. Avoid overspending to remodel a kitchen or bath, however, as your tastes may not meet those of a potential buyer. Upgrading can have a domino-like effect. Keep spending in check and be smart about any upgrades. 

Get Your House Seen by More Prospective Buyers

One of the best ways to get more for your home is to get it seen by more prospective buyers. This can be a challenge with an FSBO. Those homeowners selling homes in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties in Florida however, have access to Richr, a real estate listing system, designed to make sellers “richer.”

The process is straightforward, easy to follow, and is designed to maximize profits. With Richr, your house gets a free listing on your local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which is the same system used by real estate professionals throughout Southeast Florida. There are no seller fees, and sellers decide the buyer’s agent fee. In addition, your house listing gets syndicated to over 750 websites, including Trulia, Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. This gets your property in front of thousands of people interested in buying right in our area. 

The TakeAway

Selling a home isn’t rocket science, and once you learn how to sell your home for maximum profit, you can put your newfound knowledge into action. Get more for your Southeast Florida home by selling through Richr. We take you every step of the way in maximizing your profits!