Are you ready to sell your home and embark on an exciting new chapter of your life? When you put your home up for sale, it will have to compete with many other properties. Attracting potential buyers and securing a good deal will not just happen. You need to have a good selling strategy.
If you are wondering how to make your home sell faster, you are at the right place. Find out what to do to maximize the appeal of your home with ten tried-and-true tactics. From decluttering and staging to highlighting key features, these house-selling strategies will attract potential buyers and expedite your sale.
There’s nothing wrong with selling your home as a fixer-upper, but you’ll probably have to sell it for less. Potential buyers will want to discount not only for the cost of the repairs but also for the inconvenience.
If you’re unsure about the state of your home, have it inspected. Once you know the problems, find out how much renovations would cost and decide whether it makes more sense to proceed with the repairs or sell the property as is and accept a lower price.
While homes in good condition will sell faster and achieve better prices, it is possible to go overboard. Some upgrades can be a waste of time, money, and effort. For example, experts say that these renovations generally do not pay off:
The upgrades most likely to bring a good return on investment include:
Even if you don’t plan to do any major upgrades, you want to present your home in the best light to make the home sell faster. Put some thought and time into making it look good. Potential buyers should fall in love with your property at first sight.
There’s no need to worry whether everything is perfect to sell your home fast. You aim to show a home that has been cared for. Don’t feel embarrassed if potential buyers criticize specific details. That only shows their interest in your property!
To attract buyers, follow these ten tips for selling your home faster:
When selling a house, know that the exterior sets the tone for the whole viewing experience. Ensure your front yard is well-maintained, with a freshly mowed lawn, trimmed hedges, and colorful flowers. A new coat of paint on your front door can also work wonders. The same goes for a new mailbox and a lovely mat by the front door.
Your entryway may typically display a collection of jackets and shoes. Now is the time to put away all that. Have a small bench or a console and perhaps a vase with cut flowers. A mirror is a must, preferably full-size. Everybody wants to check how they look before going out. Besides, a mirror will make the usually small foyer space seem bigger.
Doing some inexpensive repairs can help you sell your home faster. For example, replace cracked caulking, touch up the grout, ensure the faucets are not leaking, and fix loose door handles. Take time to repair everything before listing your home for sale. The fewer problems your house has, the faster it will sell.
If DIY is not your strong point, call in the professionals. There’s nothing worse than a botched-up attempt at home repairs.
A deep clean is one of the cheapest but often overlooked ways to spruce your home. Clean rooms will seem brighter and more spacious. Employ the services of carpet and upholstery cleaners. There should be no stains, no unpleasant odors, and (of course) no dust bunnies. Pay special attention to mirrors and metal surfaces, such as door knobs and faucets. They should sparkle and shine.
Furnished homes are more attractive than empty ones, but clutter is unappealing. If you have too many trinkets around your home, don’t cram them into your closets and cupboards. Potential buyers will (and should) open them.
To convey the impression of spaciousness and organization, leave about one-third of the shelves and closets empty. Ask family and friends to temporarily house excess stuff or move it to a storage unit.
What is the one common feature all those lovely interiors in magazines have? We can imagine living in them! To sell your home faster, give your potential buyers the same experience.
Allow them to imagine living in your home. Make the space inviting but impersonal. Remove family photos and your children’s or grandchildren’s artwork. Decorate your home with a few choice pieces that can resonate with everyone.
Give your walls a fresh coat of paint before putting your house for sale. Choose a soft, neutral color. Since white can be too glaring, opt for an off-white nuance.
Adequate lighting can make a big difference in how your home feels. People love light, so let the sunshine in. Clean the windows and open all the curtains, blinds, and shades. Turn on lights in any dark corners. Ensure all bulbs are working, and consider adding some well-placed lamps to create a warm ambiance.
Not all potential buyers will be pet lovers, but even if they like pets, they may not appreciate pet odors and a display of dog or cat dishes. Remove all evidence of your four-legged friends and relocate them during viewings.
The look of your kitchen and bathroom can make or break a deal of selling your home fast. Consider minor upgrades such as new hardware for the cabinets.
Replace damaged kitchen countertops and keep them clutter-free. Only display a few choice items.
As for the bathroom, a new shower curtain and a set of fluffy towels will instantly upgrade the overall look.
To successfully sell your home, be guided by interior design magazines and websites when trying to stage your home. If in doubt, hire a staging company to do all the work. They can even bring suitable furniture to make everything look top-notch.
The faster you sell your home, the sooner you can stop having to keep it in pristine condition for viewing - and move on with your life.
Of course, house-selling strategies are not only about the home appeal and selling the home fast. The most important aspect is setting the right price. You want to sell as high as possible. However, don’t inflate your asking price much above what comparable houses sold for. Find out what your home is worth by researching the market. Look at the prices similar properties in your neighborhood achieved. Be realistic to help your home sell faster.
It is also essential to market your property well. Find what is most enticing about your house and emphasize that in your listings. Your home’s key feature could be your lovely kitchen, beautiful garden, or stunning view. Professional photos are a must, and a video is a bonus.
Try to avoid selling your house in the winter. Spring and summer are the best times, although that is also when you will have the most competition.
Be sure to understand tax laws and how to make them work for you. For example, to avoid paying capital gains tax, you must have used the house as your principal residence for at least two of the previous five years. Therefore, if you are a few months short, it might be better to postpone the sale.
And because you never know, check your insurance if a potential buyer has an accident on your premises. Do what you can to decrease the chances of a mishap. For example, if you have a pool, cover it with a safety net.
Hiring a good real estate agent is usually worth the expense. Good agents are familiar with the market trends. They know how to prepare the property for sale, market it, negotiate reasonable prices and sell your home faster than you.
However, you may have the skills and the time to sell your home yourself. That can be your best option if you feel confident in your ability to market the home and negotiate.
Selling your home without a realtor means that you need to research the housing market and other homes for sale in your area. You’ll also need to advertise your property online with professional images, put up the for sale signs, welcome potential buyers, negotiate the price and deal with the paperwork.
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Relax and enjoy peace of mind, knowing that your dedicated Move Coach will oversee your relocation. Then settle in your new home and start building your exciting new life.
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