https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 23:07:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365877 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 20:43:51 +0000 Mrs D 2365877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) I think this is very important. They should be invested and either attending showings and/or actively soliciting any and all feedback from showings. They also should be hosting a brokers open and promoting the house to their network. I also think them being an expert in the location is key - they know what buyers in that area value the most.</p> <p>2) I highly recommend meeting with realtors and asking their approach to the above (brokers open, promoting within network, attending showings, collecting feedback). I also think it is important to have a walk through with the realtor and collect tips on what can be fixed up before listing. We had a meeting with our realtor in November and were very clear with her that we had a smaller budget to "fix up" the house before selling. She gave us great tips and respected our budget. She contracted a great photographer...who did amazing by our house - it was photographed in early january...listed 2 days later. We ended up selling within 24 hours....we had multiple offers after the brokers open alone.</p> <p>Here are my thoughts on how to prep a house for sale:<br /> -Paint...cheap fix...nuetral colors (our realtor claims 85% of people cannot look past little things like paint.<br /> -De clutter, de clutter, de clutter...this means everything, closets included. People will open them and if they see clutter they immediately think "lack of storage"<br /> -De personalize...you want them to be able to visualize their family in your home, hard to do that when staring at pictures of your family</p> <p>Other little fixes that can have huge impact: lighting fixtures, downsizing furniture (just relocating/storage), handles/fixtures updated, organization, simple decor.</p> <p>Since you are dealing with parents who may not be open to full on de-clutter and pitching...we did ask our realtor about how storage rooms in basements are allowed to look. We were told they can be full of organized storage. We used a TON of plastic bins from home depot to de-clutter into our storage space in the basement. May be an option for you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365763 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 15:12:42 +0000 MamaCate 2365763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that a good realtor does make a difference and that clutter is a huge issue! We just sold our house this spring and some things that helped:<br /> -we rented a storage unit and packed up lots of clutter, like LO's play kitchen, good serving dishes, out of season clothes, etc. so the house felt spacious and no one realized there was not much storage.<br /> -decluttering also meant we had "hiding places" for stuff during showings: the mail got put in a now empty drawer, the vitamins and stuff on the kitchen table went into a nearby cleaned out cabinet, etc.<br /> -our realtor told us to make the house look like a model home. We ended up investing in a new slipcover for one of our couches, new throw pillows, and a bed in a bag ($40 at Ross) to make things look put together. </p> <p>Our realtor also took the time to do market research to help us price our home competitively which helped too.</p> <p>We sold in less than a month in a decent but not great market and I think both the realtor and the staging/cluttering made a big difference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365730 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 13:47:54 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2365730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think more importantly you have to follow the advice of the realtor. De clutter doesn't mean clean off the counter it means put stuff in storage </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365714 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 13:26:19 +0000 misolee 2365714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree. Realtors make all the difference but you also have to actually follow their advice. Ours was a friend and he helped tremendously with ideas and advice. He uses a specific staging photo and video company and they made our house look really appealing. So much in fact that I couldn't believe was ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365691 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:27:43 +0000 yoursilverlining 2365691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A good realtor can make a huge difference - especially if you need to unload it fast! </p> <p>Unclutter and deep (professionally, ideally) clean ASAP. Have them put most of their stuff in storage, so that people can view the house and not be swayed by stuff. </p> <p>I'd also figure out what the house ideally needs to sell, and then make as many upgrades as you can on a small budget - new, neutral paint you can DIY, paint kitchen cabinets if they are dated or in bad condition, sub out stained worn carpet for either new carpet or wood (laminant flooring if not hard woods). </p> <p>Price is to sell and move too, which the realtor can help with </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365688 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:24:00 +0000 jmarionsmith 2365688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1- For us, the realtor didn't matter a whole lot. But we are in an area that houses can't stay on the market, ours sold literally in 3 days. He took some quick snaps of the rooms with his cell phone, loaded them to all the real estate sites and that's basically all he did in terms of advertising. I would guess very basic. </p> <p>2- totally agree with renting a storage unit to declutter up the house. It was worth every penny to have a lot of the stuff we don't use day to day put away. It really made our house look clean, open, and inviting. I would google staging tips (this is probably where a good realtor might help, but ours left it up to us to figure it all out.) Simple things we learned: open all the blinds unless the view from a particular window is not good, and turn on all the lights for showings. The brighter the house is the better it looks. Empty trash, especially open ones like in the bathrooms before each showing. Hide any dirty laundry in a closet or under the bed. We just threw ours in the washing machine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365682 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:13:47 +0000 thismustbetheplace 2365682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) A HUGE amount. My MIL tried for 5 years(!!!) to sell her fathers home after he passed away. She wasn't putting much effort into it and the realtor had great reviews but was NOT proactive. And this was a gorgeous waterfront property with great schools. She eventually fired that realtor, got a younger, more proactive and passionate realtor, and it was sold within just a few months. 100% worth it. </p> <p>2) Absolutely get the clutter out. It's one of the biggest things that will turn buyers away because it is distracting.. Buyers need to be able to envision what their own furniture/things would look like in the home. If you guys are really determined I would even suggest putting everything but the essentials into a storage pod and 'staging' the house. Research shows houses that are staged and professionally photographed sell faster and for more $$! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-when-selling-a-house#post-2365678 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:04:58 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2365678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To bees who have experience selling a house-</p> <p>My parents are in pretty big financial trouble and they need to sell the house ASAP. We can't keep paying our rent and their mortgage an my sister and Bil are giving every month too when all our situations are tight. The house is huge and is a burden!!</p> <p>My parents tried selling the house Earlier this year with no luck. But I don't even know how hard they tried?? The house is still cluttered with lots of stuff. Though I have no experience it doesn't sound like realtor was very good either...</p> <p>My friend who is a realtor (she is an older friend.. A sharp lady in her early sixties) has offered to help. I don't want to undermine my parents but I think she is sharp quick and good. Kind of want her to help my parents but again I don't want to force anything on them if it won't make a big difference.</p> <p>2 questions:</p> <p>1. How much does a good realtor play in how well/fast your house sells?</p> <p>2. Any other advice/tips when selling?? </p>