10 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast
How to Sell Your Home Fast
Everyone wants to sell their home as fast as possible. Yet many homeowners get stuck in a long and painstaking process that ends up costing them a lot of time and money. So what can you do to attract buyers and sell your home quicker?
We compiled the top 10 tips to sell your home fast with help from some big names in real estate. From developing a strong online presence to making your home move-in ready, these tips will shorten the time between listing and selling your home.
1. Find an Experienced Agent
A licensed and reputable real estate agent has the resources to properly list your house. Beyond that, their experience can potentially save you thousands of dollars and months on the calendar. First-time mistakes are bound to happen when attempting to do it yourself. The right agent will efficiently and effectively move through the process.
2. Set an Appealing Initial List Price
Setting a realistic and appealing list price is critical when trying to sell a home quickly. It’s important to have some insight into your local market so you know what a home like yours can go for. We recommend researching listed homes in and around your neighborhood before putting your house on the market.
“Set the initial list price to be the best value in the neighborhood. This doesn’t necessarily mean lowest price. Homebuyers are smart and better informed than ever. They know an overpriced home and ignore it. A great priced home can even invite competing bids in markets that are hot.”
Glenn S. Phillips | Owner, Lake Homes Realty
3. Market Your Home With Photos and Video
An overwhelming majority of house hunters start their search online. In order to have a chance to sell your home fast, it needs to be popping up where people are looking. And when people do find you, they need be impressed enough to get in the car and come visit. Quality photography, detailed descriptions and easily accessible contact information can help make this happen. For example, a study by Trulia revealed that homes with more than six listing photos online are twice as likely to be viewed.
“If you have the budget, I recommend hiring a professional to photograph and stage your home. A professional stager can help a buyer envision themselves living in your home. Likewise, a photographer will shoot your home to ensure it looks big, bright and attractive to potential buyers.”
Lynnette Bruno | Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert, Trulia
4. Talk to Your Neighbors
While a strong online presence increases the chance of selling your home fast, already established relationships can expedite the process. Talking to your neighbors prior to listing may result in a quick and easy sale. There’s an off chance they have family or a friend that is looking. At the very least, they’ll be aware of your plans and can become a pseudo marketing team.
5. Update Cosmetic Features
It’s essential to keep your home looking well-kept. Whether it’s fixing a broken light or regularly mowing your lawn, make sure your home looks neat and move-in ready. This process should include making minor updates to your home, such as adding new mulch to your beds or painting your bathroom. In general, it’s beneficial to tap into the buyer’s mind.
“When it comes to selling your home fast, home-staging is important. You want to make your home appeal to potential buyers. A fresh coat of paint and a little bit of landscaping goes a long way. Avoid colors like hot pink and black. Try neutral colors to inspire the buyer’s imagination.”
Jon Shields | Director of Marketing, LystHouse
6. Organize and Declutter Spaces
We’ve talked plenty about how to declutter in the past, but it’s especially relevant when attempting to sell your home fast. Homes typically look bigger when there is more open space. Clutter distracts potential buyers from looking at the actual house. Don’t let your “stuff” get in the way. Let them focus on what really matters – your beautiful home.
“To sell your home fast, make sure it looks appealing and is move-in ready. Pack up or purge those highly personal or unnecessary belongings. Not only will this give you a jump start on the move, but a mess can make a room appear smaller and signal to buyers that you’re not ready for a quick close.”
Lynnette Bruno | Real Estate & Lifestyle Expert, Trulia
Got more trash than your curbside service can handle? Check out the following junk removal options!
7. Clean and Clean Some More
A home that is unappealing to the senses can leave a bad impression on potential buyers. In fact, smell alone can be a major factor when buyers first enter your home. If your home feels, looks or smells dirty, chances are offers will be few and far between. So, clean your carpets, dust off cabinetry and deep clean every room in your home. It’s time to do the dirty work.
8. Depersonalize Your Home
Your personal taste and style may be important to you, but they probably aren’t the same as the next person who will own your home. Removing personal items can go a long way in attracting buyers, as it allows them to form their own connection with the home. Your next residence can become the place to display your life and personality.
“Sellers should want buyers to see themselves in the home. That is harder if there are pictures and momentous of someone else’s family. It is important to remember that much of the home purchase process is emotional, so don’t get in the way of the buyer picturing themselves in the home.”
Glenn S. Phillips | Owner, Lake Homes Realty
Getting your house ready to sell? These home staging tips will sell your home faster!
9. Be Accessible But Not Overbearing
Buyers want to be valued. When they’re buying something as big as a home, it’s important to properly take care of them. That means consistently being available for showings, answering questions when called upon and being polite throughout the process. At the same time, you don’t want to breathe down their necks. Give them room when they need it, but be accessible when they need you.
10. Think About Not Selling Your Home Fast
While selling your home for the highest price possible is ideal, consider the cost of not selling your home fast. Many people focus on the money they will make, rather than the cost of keeping their home on the market. Your mortgage, insurance, utilities and upkeep costs can add up quickly and surpass an offer that’s a few thousand dollars below list price.
Get Ready to Sell Your Home Quickly
Prior to putting your home on the market, there are several upgrades and updates you can make to get your home ready to sell fast. We’ll help you with that process.
