6 Expert Tips for Selling a House in Virginia

Selling your home in Virginia can seem overwhelming, but planning ahead can make the process much smoother. 

From exterior preparations like power washing to interior repairs such as new fixtures, strategic investments can help you sell your home more easily and potentially get you the highest value for your home.

Choosing how to focus your energy can be difficult when selling a home. That’s why the team at Prevu Real Estate has compiled six tips to help you sell your Virginia home. 

Tips to sell your house in Virginia

• Price your home correctly
• Maximize your curb appeal
• Stage a neutral and clean space
• Invest in repairs and upgrades
• Have professional photos taken
• Work with a Virginia realtor

Price your home correctly

Choosing the perfect listing price when selling your Virginia home is a crucial first step. If you price the home too low, you could miss out on cash. If you price it too high, you risk the listing lingering on the market for too long. 

To get an idea of what the sweet spot would be, it’s imperative to research comparable homes in your area. Make sure those homes have similar amenities and square footage to yours so you can get the most accurate comparison. 

It helps to remember that different factors influence pricing depending on the area you’re selling in. For example, condos might be popular in Alexandria because it’s close to Washington D.C., while single family homes might be popular in Falls Church. 

Maximize your curb appeal

As you prepare to stage and sell your house, you may be tempted to focus solely on the interior. But, if potential buyers aren’t attracted from the outside, they may lose interest before they make it to the entrance hall. 

Whether it’s your mailbox, lawn, or front door, you want as many exterior features as possible to be inviting and in good condition. It’s also a great idea to take advantage of your realtor’s expertise for suggestions, as they might notice things you may not. 

Virginia can be humid, so look for algae on your siding or rotting boards in your decking and trim. From there, take a look at your windows, roof, and walkways.

Start with simple maintenance first, such as power washing concrete and vinyl siding, freshening up the flower beds or garden, and replacing the mailbox (if necessary). Then, consider more expensive repairs like new deck boards, windows, or shingles. No matter your budget, make sure you do your best for the home to leave a good impression on potential buyers from the moment they arrive. 

Stage a neutral and clean space

After you’ve taken care of your home’s exterior, you can focus on the inside. 

Begin by removing personal items from the living space. This will help you create a neutral space so interested buyers can have an easier time imagining the home as their own. 

Some of the most obvious things to remove are family photographs and evidence of pets. Personalized towels, or welcome mats are some other common items that should be removed. 

Aside from depersonalizing the home, you should also make sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned. There may be blemishes on walkways, door handles, and bathroom walls that you may have grown accustomed to, but potential buyers will have a fresh perspective and may find these unappealing. 

If your schedule doesn’t allow time for all these tasks, you can consider hiring a cleaning service. Professional cleaners have commercial-grade tools and a penchant for detail to get your home as clean as possible. 

Invest in repairs and upgrades

While you may not want to spend money updating your home, it can increase your home’s value and encourage a fast sale. 

Updating old appliances such as the refrigerator, washer, and stove can be a great way to make your home more attractive to buyers. New appliances means one less thing to worry about when they settle into their new home. 

If a thorough cleaning wasn’t able to revitalize kitchen counters, door knobs, and flooring, you might want to replace them as well. If a full replacement is out of the picture, you can also rehab some of them with a fresh coat of paint. 

Each new fixture and appliance can make your home feel fresh. Even if potential buyers don’t know you’ve made upgrades, it can positively affect their perception. As a result, your realtor may be able to sell your home more easily. 

Have professional photos taken

Most buyers who begin their home search typically start the process online. As such, having high-quality photos to represent your home is in your best interest.

Professional real estate photographers will use HDR cameras and specific lenses to help capture the essence of your space. These photographers also know the right angles and lighting to highlight your home’s best features. 

Beyond photos, real estate photographers usually have experience creating walk-through videos to give buyers a better feel for the property. 

Professional photos and videos are some of the best ways to ensure that folks will want to tour your home. As you interview potential listing agents, you can even ask if they offer photography services. 

Work with a Virginia realtor

Finding the right agent to list your home can be key to selling quickly and for the best price. As you search for potential real estate agents, make sure to interview multiple brokerages and ask about their experience. 

For starters, you should ask how long your agent has worked in your area, as local experience can help avoid common pitfalls that might delay your home’s sale. It’s also helpful to ask if your agent has relationships with trusted inspectors, real estate attorneys, or contractors for anything you may need.

Through intimate knowledge of the local housing market, the right agent can provide specific advice regarding your ideal sale price. Agents can also access tools like multiple listing services and recent data. Your agent can use these tools to market your home to a broader audience through open houses and online listings. 

Additionally, your agent can be a helpful guide as you navigate closing costs for sellers in Virginia and seller concessions. There are several steps to selling a home in Virginia, and having a dedicated agent can potentially help you save thousands compared to selling for sale by owner.

Your agent is a key resource during every stage of the selling process, especially when it’s time to negotiate. Negotiations can be emotional, so having a level-headed advocate during closing should help you make informed and intelligent choices. Your agent’s experience can also help with complicated paperwork to help make the process even smoother.