So you are selling your home? And you want it to go quickly?
In that case, there are a few things you should know. Buyers are most interested in a house the first few months it is on the market. After that, urgency wanes, and you could be sitting on your property for an extended amount of time.
In order to successfully sell, your home must show nicely, be marketed well and be priced correctly.
Read on for five tips to make sure your property stands out and sells quickly in any market.
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Clutter causes anxiety. The last thing you want is to stress out potential buyers. Instead, the aim is to create a sanctuary with a calming feel. You want those who come to showings to feel welcome, to loathe the idea of leaving your home.
Get everything that is not absolutely necessary out of the house. Aim to remove at least a third of your belongings.
Do not just shove things into any available storage space. You can be sure that potential buyers will snoop.
Get a storage unit for things that you will not need while you are selling your home. This will streamline the moving out process and make it easier when you finally do relocate.
Remove all personal decorations such as knick-knacks, seasonal decor, family pictures and quirky art.
For showings remove pets and kids.
2. Beautify the Home
After you have de-cluttered, it will be easier get around to make repairs and update the look of your home. This is the time to really make things shine so you can sell quick.
Tone down any brightly colored walls with a fresh coat of paint. Neutrals are best. You want to create a blank canvas where the imagination of the buyer can run wild.
Do not try to do any major remodels when selling your home as it is unlikely that you will see a full return on investment. It is best to focus on smaller repairs, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen is the most used area in any house and you can be assured that upgrades you make in this room will increase your home’s value.
This is the time to buy new fixtures for the sinks and cabinets. Recessed lighting and ceiling fans are both inexpensive additions that add wow factor.
Buyer’s generally don’t want a home that needs a lot of repairs unless it comes with a hefty discount. Complete any half-finished projects.
3. Hire a Professional
Two out of three homebuyers start their search on the web. A full 92% of house shoppers use the internet at some point in their search for a new home. Since your first showing essentially happens online, beautiful listing photos are a critical factor when selling your home.
A good set of photos will increase the odds exponentially that a potential buyer will actually come out for a showing.
A professional real estate photographer can deliver images which trigger an emotional response.
He will focus on all of the details that will show your home in its best possible light. Professional photos capture pleasing angles that depict the rooms in the home in relation to one another.
If you choose to do your own photos, make sure to use the best camera available to you. Open all windows and doors to let in natural light and make your home look more appealing to the viewer.
Hiring a professional stager is also a great investment when selling your home.
In 2017, the National Association of Realtors(R) conducted an online study regarding the importance of staging a home when it goes on the market.
Of over 50,000 active Realtors(R):
- A majority agreed that the most important rooms to stage are the living room, kitchen and master bedroom.
- 49% said that a home’s staging has an effect on the buyer’s view of the home.
- 77% said staging a home makes it easier for a potential buyer to imagine the dwelling as their future home.
- 39% said that staging a home greatly decreases the amount of time it spends on the market.
It is a fact that staged homes fetch 1% to 5% more than other similar homes on the market that are not staged.
4. Increase Curb Appeal
You know the old adage, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Your home’s exterior is the first thing a potential buyer sees when coming to a showing. Just like the interior, you want the outside of your home to allow the buyer’s imagination to start wandering. They want to see their future dogs and kids in the yard, not yours.
Remove all toys and other belongings from the yard. Trim hedges and trees, refresh mulch, plant some flowers and mow the lawn. Consider pressure-washing siding, driveways, sidewalks, and porches.
You may even give the outside of your home a fresh coat of paint.
5. Price It Right
Time is the enemy in real estate. Ideally, you want to sell your home within the first few weeks of listing. If a home sits on the market too long, there is a very real chance that buyers will think something is wrong with it.
In order to maximize your chances of selling, get the price right the first time. The last thing you want when selling your home is to watch it sit on the market for a year while you incrementally lower the asking price.
Tour houses that are for sale in your market in your price bracket to get an idea of what you are competing against. Do this for a few weeks to get a better feel for pricing.
One gutsy maneuver is to price your home 15%-20% below market value. The idea is that there will be multiple buyers interested and they will enter into a bidding war, driving up the price of your home.
Final Thoughts on Selling Your Home
We know that selling your home can be bittersweet. Remember, this is not personal, it is business. Approaching the sale of your home with realistic expectations makes the process much smoother.
Put these tips into practice, and you will be well on your way to closing and moving onto life’s next exciting chapter.
If you would like to discuss selling your home for cash, contact us today!