Is it time to sell your house?
If you’re in an area where the housing market is booming, you might be thinking about taking the leap and selling your home. Even with a great market, though, is it as easy as it seems?
Well, it can be, but there are a few factors involved. There are different ways to sell a house, and depending on what you choose, they’ll be more or less difficult for the average seller.
We want to help you out with a few tried and tested tips for selling a home so you can get your house off the market in no time and find your perfect buyers.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. If You’re In a Hurry, Consider Other Options
The normal buying and selling process is well-known. You fix up your home, you put it on the market, and you wait for a buyer to put an offer in.
If you’re in a hot market, this process will work for you. If not, though, and you need to sell your home as soon as possible (for example, if you’re moving for school or work and you need the money to put down on a new home), there’s another option.
Selling your home to a company for cash is a valid way to sell your house. It’s quicker and easier than going through the process of selling alone or with a real estate agent.
If you’re thinking “Well, with that in mind, maybe I should sell my house for cash,” it might be the right route for you.
2. Set a Reasonable Price
When you’re selling your home the traditional way, make sure that your home is priced for the market. People won’t buy a house that isn’t priced right. Keep the buyer in mind.
This doesn’t mean that you should under-price your home. On the contrary, this can work against you. You may sell your home faster, but you’ll be undervaluing your home. You may be able to get a higher price than you expect.
On the other hand, over-pricing your home isn’t ideal either. What you need to do is check the other listings in your area that are comparable to your home. The quality of the neighborhood, age of the home, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and extras (like covered parking, a laundry room, or anything else that sets your home apart).
Aim for the middle and you may find that people bid up.
3. Find the Right Real Estate Agent
If you’re using a real estate agent, picking the wrong one can be a disaster. You want someone that’s on your team, not looking to make a quick buck off of your home.
Choose a real estate agent that knows the local market. They should be familiar with the average buyer in the area and they can help you price your home if you’re unsure. They’ll also help with the negotiating process.
4. Hire Professional Cleaners
It’s crucial that your home is squeaky clean when you have potential buyers viewing it. While cleaning is an easy process and the cleanliness of the house has no bearing on what it would be like to live in, you need to make a good first impression.
Everything should look as good as possible. Countertops should sparkle, the toilets should be stain-free, and your carpets should look as good as new.
To do this, hire professional cleaners. The expense will be worth it when you can fetch a higher price for your home as a result.
5. If You’re Going to Remodel, Choose Carefully
Many people remodel their homes before they sell in an attempt to increase their value. This can work for or against you depending on how you go about it.
If you’re doing a DIY remodeling job, disregard this as it won’t be as expensive as a professional one. If you’re hiring professionals, though, make sure you know what rooms are going to be more valuable.
Remodeling is expensive, and you can’t assume that you’ll make all of that money back with the sale of your home. Choose rooms that people pay attention to.
The most obvious choice is the kitchen. People love large kitchens with new appliances and kitchen islands. Sometimes a kitchen is all it takes for someone to bid on a home.
Bathrooms are a close second if you’re willing to spend the money on a nice bathtub or shower installation.
6. Curb Appeal Is Key
The first in-person impression that people will have of your home is the outside appearance. You need to work on your curb appeal if you want to sell your home fast.
If your paint is dingy or chipped, consider fixing it up so it looks new and smooth. Pick a color that’s good for attracting buyers.
Fix up your front lawn with green grass or a garden, and make sure everything looks tidy.
7. Don’t Skimp on Staging and Photography
Before they even see your lawn, most buyers will see your home online. Real estate photography has never been more important than it is in the age of the internet.
Hire a professional photographer if you want the best results. They know how to get the right angles and lighting to make your home look great. Poor photography can result in slow sales.
Also, it’s a good idea to stage your home. While you might love your furniture, buyers want to be able to see themselves in it. Staged homes look neat and clean and the furniture is either fancy or neutral so people get the best impression of your house.
Use These Tips for Selling a Home
Using these tips for selling a home will help you sell fast and for the best possible price. While figuring out how to sell a home is stressful, knowing a few tips on what to do (and what not to do) makes the process so much easier.
Good luck with the sale of your home!
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