The real estate market is like the tide: it goes up and comes down. No one knows for sure when, where, and why it will rise or fall, but we do know that we want our homes to be standing while this tide is high.
Trying to stand out in the crowd of homes for sale can be tough. Think about all those “for sale” signs popping up on lawns everywhere you go! But don’t lose hope—there are things you can do to make your home stand out, even if it’s just a few inches above the rest.
Make your home more appealing inside and out.
A recent real estate market report noted that the number one reason homes get snapped up quickly is that they are “freshly painted, clean and in move-in condition.” The better you get your house ready for sale, the faster it will sell.
Selling a home can be expensive, though. Yes, you could indeed spend thousands of dollars (and let’s face it—you might) making your home more appealing for buyers. Is there another way? Fortunately, the answer is yes. There are lots of ways to make your house look great without spending a lot of money.
Just keep in mind that the best way to sell your house quickly and at a good price is to make it as appealing as possible inside and out—no matter how much money you have to spend. And that’s why some sellers hire professionals to help stage their homes with furniture, artwork, rugs, plants, and more. If you have the budget for it, hiring a professional decorator is a great idea.
Focus on curb appeal and landscaping improvements.
Everyone hates to see an overgrown lawn, dirty windows, or trash strewn about the yard—these are all reasons buyers may decide to keep looking rather than make an offer on the house. Clean up exterior spaces and spruce up the landscaping before putting your house on the market to give it a big head start.
A recent real estate market report noted that the number one reason homes get snapped up quickly is that they are “freshly painted, clean and in a move-in condition.” The better you get your house ready for sale, the faster it will sell (Del Real).
Making your home more appealing outside is wonderful advice but can be expensive and doesn’t happen overnight. The curb appeal and landscaping improvements are fast ways to make a home look more appealing. You can hire a professional in landscaping and cultivate the elements you want in the house.
Get your home inspected and make necessary repairs.
You need to get your home inspected and make improvements before you list it for sale. Even houses that look good from the outside may have trouble selling if they haven’t been updated recently, if they require a lot of work or if they aren’t up to code.
Be honest with yourself about how much (or little) you can do without, and then work around those limits as best you can—sprucing up the entryway and getting rid of clutter should be enough for most buyers.
Focus on the immediacy of your house’s sale.
When you use words like soon and immediately, buyers are more likely to put in an offer because it seems that they can move into their new home quickly.
Point out how soon your home could be theirs, why that time frame works well with their schedule, and how much money they’ll save by buying now instead of waiting six months or a year to find another home. And most importantly, let them know what needs to happen next if they want to buy—get offers in ‘today’!
Price your property competitively.
Have a firm contract price in mind to avoid overpricing your home, which will put it on the market too long. Price your property correctly from the start, and you’ll be off to a better start than homes that sit on the market for months or sell for lower than list price.
Use marketing tools that distinguish your property from others.
People are used to seeing homes for sale everywhere, so you have to use all of those listing details — from your address number prominently displayed on the street to the heated garage and fence-free yard—to make your home stand out. Be sure to have a “for sale” sign with eye-catching lettering on the lawn, too.
People are still losing their homes to foreclosure and short sales. Waiting for a house they can afford is not as easy as it once was, and daily life takes over, sometimes making one forget about those things that pertain to being successful in business.
But there is no need to worry. There is a hot market out there, and if your home is ready to sell, you should have no problem finding the right buyer. Make sure that your house stands out from all of those before it. Follow these tips for hastening the process.
