It’s true that right now it is hard to sell a home. As you drive thru your neighborhood, you notice homes that have been up for sale for months.
It’s so frustrating that these homeowners keep slashing the sale price just to get out of it. They become miserable in their own home. If you are planning to sell your home, these types of things worry you.
You wonder if it will be worth it. You start wondering how long it will be on the market. No matter how bad it may be don’t let this discourage you.
There are ways that you can make sure your house will sell. There are television programs pertaining to this issue. It shows how many have had their houses up for sale and after 6 months, 9 months or a year. What they do is come into these homes and show the owners what can make or break a sale. They come in and change everything, making the home more welcoming and interesting. Once they are done, the houses sell much quicker. Remember, there are many new homes that have been built and have many more amenities.
However, there are people that purchase homes because of location, so if your house is a prime location, with these tips, you can sell it much quicker.
CURB APPEAL
A picture is worth a thousand words. When you post your house for sale, the photo has to be just right. When they look at this picture if they notice the lawn is too busy or bare, right there you lose a sale. Spend a few dollars and hire a professional landscaper. Have them trim the bushes, plant flower or plants according to the season, trim the trees, clear up any clutters and manicure the lawn. This can cost you up to $500.00. If your walkway is cracked you might want to get that fixed too. Remember you want this house to attract buyers.
REMOVE THE CLUTTER
You want the house to look big, that there is lots of room for anything they want. To do this, you have to clear up the clutter. If you have too much stuff it makes the rooms look smaller. Pack it up. Leave what is necessary and the rest store it away. Since your goal is to sell and move out, it won’t be a big deal to put them away. Clear out at least one third of your things from rooms and closet. Remember if it’s spacious it’s attractive.
NEUTRALIZE
Take down the family photos, collections and anything that is about you. It is a good idea to tone down the décor in the home, maybe repaint the walls in neutral colors. If you have artwork, make it simple. With your things on the wall and your décor it makes it hard for others to see what their stuff would look like on the walls. By making it neutral it gives them a blank canvas to see exactly what they will end up with.
INSPECTION
Hire a professional inspector to check your home. They will come into your home and go through every room, check everything possible. This can help you; they will find any problems that could cost you the sale. This would give you time to fix whatever the problem is. Once complete, you should make sure this report is available to all potential buyers. This shows them that you have nothing to hide.
FIX IT
There are probably a few things you have been meaning to fix around the house. This is the time to do it. Fix those leaky faucets, screens, patch the cracks, paint the trims, put up the fans, etc. Whatever it may be, do it now, this is an incentive to potential buyers. Less that they have to worry about if they purchase the home.
FLOORS
Make sure you have the carpets steamed clean. If after you do this, they don’t look any better, than purchase carpeting. Don’t install wood floors or tile since you may not be able to get recoup that cost. Get rid of any small rugs, anything that looks old. You want to make everything look just right.
CLEAN
You have a clean home; well it has to be even cleaner. You need to make sure it is spotless and it shines. You want to make sure there are no spots, mold or smells throughout the house. The floors have to look as clean as possible. Make those floors shine. They should be so clean that they can eat off them. The bathrooms must look perfect. Remember, this is a big plus. Just think of what you would look for in a house when you are planning to purchase it. You know you want it to be perfect.
STAGE EACH ROOM
Move the furniture around making sure it looks welcoming. Make sure to set it up to highlight each room. If you have a fire place make sure it’s not blocked. Create a nice reading nook in the master bedroom. Don’t leave any exercise equipment anywhere in the house, all it does is take up room. You want the house to look as the model homes you have visited. It must be inviting.
PICKING AN AGENT AND SELLING PRICE
When picking a selling agent, do some research first. You want to make sure to pick someone that is acquainted with your neighborhood, sells and is reputable. When setting up the selling price, make sure to check the market. See what other homes are selling at in your neighborhood. Make sure you are asking for a fair price. If it is a fair price, home buyers will pounce on it quickly because it's fair value.