Most folks who want to sell their home dream of a sale the day their home hits the market. Sure, that happens occasionally, but don’t expect your home to sell quite that quickly. You can, however, increase the likelihood of a quick sale exponentially by putting a few concrete tips to work. Here’s a list to get you started:
Get the Best Listing Agent
Chances are that you already know who the leading realtors in your town are. You see their names and smiling faces on a multitude of signs, you have checked out their listings online, and you know they get results. You don’t want to miss out on the best agents because they’ve all gotten too busy to take you on as a client, so reach out to them as soon as you know you want to sell. Compare offers, but don’t get caught up in price. Your objective is to sell your house, and you need the best agent you can find to make that happen. If any of your friends have used a top agent, check with them to get their reviews and recommendations.
Price it Well
Your agent will help you with this, but think about a pricing strategy before you put your home on the market. Compare your home to similar houses in the area, and price it at a competitive level. If you list it too high, you may not generate enough interest among potential buyers; too low, and you may leave profits on the table. This is another reason why you should hire an experienced agent to guide you.
Decide When to Sell
If you have the flexibility to move whenever you want, consult your local selling data to determine the best time to sell your home. In general, houses sell best in springtime, but this varies according to geography and weather conditions. In San Diego, for example, sales are about the same year-round, because the weather is consistent year-round.
Clean and Stage
Does your kitchen always have dirty dishes piled in the sink? Has it been months since you’ve cleaned your bathroom? If you want to sell your house, you’ll have to make a few changes. Invest in a cleaning service or devote a few hours every week to cleaning and scrubbing so whenever you have a showing, you can just straighten the house up and be ready to go. Staging your home also helps it sell more quickly. This simply means going through your home with a critical eye and removing furniture that makes the house feel crowded. You should also remove personal items, including photos and knick-knacks. The key is to make it easy for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the home. If too much of your personality remains, they’ll have a more difficult time picturing it as their own.
Promote Your Home Online
Part of the reason you want to hire the best listing agent you can find is because they have the skills to promote your home online. You should check this as part of your vetting process: are their online listings attractive and compelling? Putting your home online gives you a reach far beyond your own town, allowing anyone who is moving to your area to get a good look at what you have to offer.
Get Professional Photos
Professional listing photos may be the biggest single factor in setting your home apart online. You have probably experienced looking at a home listing with grainy, dark or out-of-focus photos. These have the immediate effect of taking the home off your list because you can’t tell if it meets your criteria. Don’t let this happen to you, and don’t take the photos yourself with your phone.
Don’t leave the sale of your home up to chance. If you implement the ideas above, you’ll be in your next home in no time, looking back on your former home with fond memories. Now get busy!