When you finally make the decision to put your house on the market and make a move, the last thing you want is for your listing to stall and sit on the market for weeks or months on end. A fast sale is ideal for all parties involved and there are some things you can do to increase your chances of a hasty transaction.
5 Tips for a Faster Sale
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, there are some practical steps you can take to sell your home faster. Look through the following techniques and see if any are applicable in your situation.
Declutter Your Home
You may not even realize it, but chances are your home is filled with clutter that’s accumulated over the years. And if there’s one thing buyers don’t like, it’s clutter.
Decluttering your home will allow prospective buyers to see it in the best light. But instead of cramming everything underneath beds and into closets (where buyers will look), consider renting a temporary storage unit while your house is on the market.
If there’s an item that you don’t use every day, put it in storage. Sure, there will be some inconveniences, but this is only temporary. (Pro tip: rent a portable storage unit that can then be transported to your new house with your move.)
Spruce Up Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is everything to prospective buyers. It influences their first impression (which is often difficult to change) and says something about how you care for your home.
In addition to freshening up landscaping, pressure washing hard surfaces, and fixing noticeable disrepair, you may also consider updating your window blinds.
“Most homeowners think of their window blinds being something that is noticed from the inside the home, which is true, but they are also easy to spot from the outside of the home as well,” Blindster explains. “Blinds that are not in proper working condition, or are dirty or damaged, will be easy to spot when considering curb appeal.”
If you’re unsure of how to improve your curb appeal, ask someone else to take a look with a fresh set of eyes. (If you’ve been in your home for a long time, you’ve probably grown accustomed to certain aspects of the property that others may find mundane or unappealing.)
Update the Kitchen
If you’re going to put significant money into any sort of rehab or remodel project, the kitchen is the first room to consider. For a few thousand dollars, you can update countertops, backsplash, hardware, and lighting. You’ll get all of this money back and much more.
Make Easy Fixes
Most buyers don’t want to purchase a home and then have to do a bunch of repairs and work. You can save yourself the hassle of long negotiations and delays by creating a list of easy fixes and knocking them out before listing.
Price it Right
The biggest key to selling a home fast is to price it right from the very start.
“Sellers often think they should start the asking price high and then lower it later if the house fails to sell. But that can result in a slower sale – sometimes even at a lower price,” real estate blogger Teresa Mears writes.
The first 30 days is your best window of time. You’ll see the most activity during this period, and you can capitalize on this by setting an appropriate price.
Be a Proactive Seller
While we’re still very much in a seller-friendly market, it would be unwise to sit back and wait for offers to come to you. This sort of hubris is what leads to low-ball offers and prolonged listings. Instead, it’s in your best interest to be a proactive seller.
A proactive seller looks ahead and identifies potential points of friction so they can be dealt with, while purposefully accentuating the key selling points in a manner that magnetizes prospective buyers.
By leveraging the tips and techniques discussed in this article, you should be able to sell your home faster (and for a higher price). Now’s the time to lean in and develop a plan!
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