Selling an apartment can be very profitable, given that real estate prices are really high. However, this business move is quite stressful in itself, so it is important to have good instructions and follow quality advice.
Some people sell an apartment to move to another, some to move into a house, and some simply have an extra apartment. In any case, the sale of an apartment is not uncommon on the real estate market.
In order to get the best offer when selling an apartment, it is necessary to take care of several things. Here's how to get the most out of selling an apartment.
1. What in the apartment needs repair and what doesn't?
Before selling an apartment, many people think about a large number of repairs that would make the apartment attractive. Often postponed repairs, painting and replacement of certain furniture become important only when we put the apartment on the market and want to present it to other people.
However, in this step it is important to weigh which changes and fixes will really make a big difference. It is good to make renovations that are very visible and, above all, useful, such as the replacement of old faucets, door handles, shower heads, shutters on the windows, and to embody the walls. Do not invest too much money in completely changing the furniture, because each owner will furnish the apartment according to his wishes and style.
2. Do you refuse the help of experts and agencies?
Although no one knows your apartment like you do, the chance that you know the market well is actually small. Experience is very important in real estate sales, and a real estate agent could make your job easier and give you peace of mind. Think about how risky the sale you are trying to make is and whether it could be made less risky by working with a real estate agent. Remember that consulting with an agency is not necessarily a permanent collaboration – it's worth a try.
3. Have you created an attractive ad?
When you place an ad for real estate, it is very important that it is well written. So, be specific, be clear and share any information that is useful. Don't forget to take good photos that show the apartment well and to share the floor plan if you have it with you. Unfortunately, many people will judge a book by its cover and a bad ad could turn away many buyers who are actually interested. Be sure to take your time and check all the sentences several times.
4. Are you selling the apartment at the right time?
We all know that some things are more affordable in a certain part of the year – the same goes for apartments. Don't sell or buy during holidays or vacations because people are often traveling and the whole market slows down a lot. A bunch of obligations that will prevent buyers from buying is also not helpful, so it is best to wait for the summer months. Of course, not the end of July and August, but late spring and the beginning of summer when there are no vacations.
5. Do you show the property with all its advantages and disadvantages?
Customers don't like offers that are forced embellishments. We understand that selling an apartment is your priority, but you must not allow yourself and others to be suspicious. Transparent sales will often lead you to authentic and fair deals, and you can reach an appropriate price with customers. The worst thing that can happen is that it becomes known that you are trying to deceive buyers by hiding defects – then it will be much more difficult to sell the apartment.
6. Are you available to customers?
One of the common mistakes that sellers make is to postpone deals with customers due to other commitments. Put yourself in the buyer's position – if you need real estate, you need it as soon as possible, which is why you follow numerous offers. If you are not immediately available to your customers, they will certainly find some other offer that will entertain them while you deal with your duties. Don't miss out on up-to-date and responsive customers by postponing meetings with them.
7. Are you selling an apartment or home?
We know that selling an apartment is sometimes a job that looks sterile and clinical – the number of rooms, the number of square meters, the number of windows, the color of the walls… Nevertheless, try to let the buyers know that it is a home both in the ad and in the meetings. If you have lived in that apartment, you will easily get into that role and explain that the window is not just a window, but a wonderful morning light in the dining room. Two bathrooms are not just two bathrooms, but an easier agreement between parents and their teenagers when getting ready in the morning.
8. Have you determined the correct price for the property?
Of course, we should also be realistic. It is difficult to determine the price of a property, especially when we know how prices change and how much money we ourselves have invested in a property. Negotiation is always welcome, but be sure to research the market before putting a price on your property – remember what it's like to be the buyer.
