When it comes to selling your home, the procedure is different almost every time. That’s why you need to find an experienced real estate agent who will guide you through the process, using their market knowledge, experience, and a detailed strategy.
We talked to Kurt Galitski, a REALTOR®-Broker Associate in our Newport Beach office, who is an expert when it comes to selling your home for the first time. Kurt has been in the business for 14 years, and he and his team work to make their clients’ home-selling experience the best and most profitable it can be.
Over the years, Kurt has dealt with more than 100 first-time home buyers. They are now returning to him as first-time sellers, so he has a lot of advice when it comes to taking that exciting step to sell your home.
Kurt suggests that you talk to three to four agents before deciding on one.
“Make sure you do your research first. Online reviews will tell you almost everything you need to know about an agent before you meet with them. That way, when you do sit down with them, you can focus on what’s most important: A plan for selling your home for the most money possible.
“Even if you get a referral for an agent from a trusted source, it doesn’t mean they are right for the job. Read their reviews–they will tell you whether the agent follows through on promises, whether they have staff or team members that can back them up, and what other services they can provide you with.”
Each seller and each home is unique, so Kurt works with his sellers to develop a plan of action.
“For the most part, the first steps are centered around your home: improvements you need to make, cleaning your carpets, decluttering and staging each room, that sort of thing.”
If you’re unsure which improvements to make, or what to do before you sell your home, talk to your agent. They are the industry experts when it comes to knowing what buyers want to see (and what they don’t want to see).
“If sellers are wary about the improvements I advise them to make, I tell them they have to spend a little more to get a little more. If you were going to sell your car tomorrow, the first thing you would do is go get it detailed today. If you want to try and sell your home as-is, what you’re going to get is an as-is price.”
If you’re on a low budget, there are still quite a few things you can do to improve the look at feel. Kurt advises that you clean your carpets and depersonalize your home first.
“They stage show homes so that you can imagine yourself living in them. But what you don’t see in show homes are family pictures, toys, or other personal effects. Make it so they don’t see you, they see your home.”
“I’ve never had a client doubt the sale or pull out at the last minute because I walk them through every single detail. From the moment I meet with a seller, I tell them my exact strategy. When an offer comes, we discuss the pros and cons of the offer. My best advice is that when you first sit down with an agent, make sure they have a detailed plan and are able to tell you why they are doing it that way.”
Even though the agent is the expert and can handle all the things that you can’t, it’s still OK to ask them questions. So don’t be afraid, ask away!
“I believe that my sole duty is to educate my clients and guide them through the process.”
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications on terms when you need them.
“The easier you make it for another agent to show your home, the more showings you’ll get, which means you’ll get more potential offers, ultimately leading to you finding the best deal for your home. I do as much as I can for my sellers before a showing, but all my sellers and I find it is easier to keep up with showings when you do a little bit of work every day. No one wants to have to vacuum every room in the house on 30 minutes’ notice.”
Small things that you can do around the house every day to ensure you are ready to show it at a moment’s notice are:
When you get the call to prepare for a showing, your home should be show-ready. Don’t forget to turn on the air conditioning, lights, and some soft music as you head out the door.
“For most of the home sellers that I work with, they are selling because they are going through a life-changing event. Either their family is growing and they need a bigger home, or they are now empty-nesters looking to downsize.”
Selling your home can seem overwhelming, but with the right agent and access to the right knowledge, it can really be an exciting time in your life. Embrace the change and know you can always lean on your agent for support.
Ready to sell your home? Find an agent today!
Still doing your research? We have even more knowledge to share with you.
Like what you see here? Sign up for more! Our free e-newsletter informs you of listings in your community, insider real estate tips, the latest in home trends, and more.
Articles like these put the consumer in the driver seat-very important.
Excellent post Simon. Very interesting to read. Glad that you are all fine now.The chapter on Steve Job’s fight with cancer are interesting. Following the discovery that he had cancer, at first he refused mainstream treatment and went for alternative therapies that didn’t work. Later on, no matter how much money he spent on trying the latest medicines, it didn’t work. Maybe we still have so much to understand that the luck component is still very large.Best,Pedro
It’s a real pleasure to find someone who can think like that
If you wrote an article about life we’d all reach enlightenment.
I love reading these articles because they’re short but informative.
That’s a knowing answer to a difficult question
I don’t know who you wrote this for but you helped a brother out.
It’s a pleasure to find someone who can think so clearly
It’s always a pleasure to hear from someone with expertise.
That’s not just logic. That’s really sensible.
I appreciate you taking to time to contribute That’s very helpful.
You’ve really helped me understand the issues. Thanks.
We need more insights like this in this thread.
A few years ago I’d have to pay someone for this information.
Calling all cars, calling all cars, we’re ready to make a deal.
That’s a well-thought-out answer to a challenging question
That insight would have saved us a lot of effort early on.
Ya learn something new everyday. It’s true I guess!
It’s great to read something that’s both enjoyable and provides pragmatisdc solutions.
I’d venture that this article has saved me more time than any other.
Your honesty is like a beacon
Okay I’m convinced. Let’s put it to action.
That’s a smart way of thinking about it.
That saves me. Thanks for being so sensible!
At last! Someone who understands! Thanks for posting!
My problem was a wall until I read this, then I smashed it.
Thank you so much for this article, it saved me time!
Why does this have to be the ONLY reliable source? Oh well, gj!
Thanks for being on point and on target!
We need a lot more insights like this!
And to think I was going to talk to someone in person about this.
Ah, i see. Well that’s not too tricky at all!”
Me dull. You smart. That’s just what I needed.
You’ve impressed us all with that posting!
Whoa, things just got a whole lot easier.
I really needed to find this info, thank God!
Hey, subtle must be your middle name. Great post!
The purchases I make are entirely based on these articles.
At last! Someone who understands! Thanks for posting!
This “free sharing” of information seems too good to be true. Like communism.
At last, someone comes up with the “right” answer!
Didn’t know the forum rules allowed such brilliant posts.
That really captures the spirit of it. Thanks for posting.
Whoever wrote this, you know how to make a good article.
An intelligent point of view, well expressed! Thanks!
How neat! Is it really this simple? You make it look easy.
Boy that really helps me the heck out.
You’ve really captured all the essentials in this subject area, haven’t you?
That’s a sensible answer to a challenging question
Which came first, the problem or the solution? Luckily it doesn’t matter.
Hahahaha. I’m not too bright today. Great post!
I just could not leave your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual information an individual provide on your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order to inspect new posts.
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you can be a
great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back in the
future. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great work, have a nice evening!
Its such as youu learn my thoughts! You seem to gasp a llot approximately this, such as you wrote the guide in it
or something. I think that you simply could do witgh some % to piwer the message hhome a bit, however
othdr than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
My brother recommended I might like this web site.
He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply
how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
These are genuinely wonderful ideas in on the topic of blogging.
You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.