In order to get a quick sale, it is essential to differentiate your home from the others on the market. But you don't have to break the bank to make a dramatic difference in your home's appeal.
With a little attention to detail and polishing of your home's high points, you can easily help your house stand out from all of the others.
1. Upgrade the Interior
One of the cheapest fixes with the biggest impact is a gallon of paint. Paint any room that hasn't been painted in several years or features strong colors.
While there is no end to the costly updates that can be made to a house, such as new appliances, an updated kitchen or bathroom, a new roof, or energy-efficient windows, ask your real estate agent which upgrades will truly be worth the investment. Based on the features of comparable homes in your neighborhood, you can determine whether or not you'll receive a return on your investment.
These touches can help set you apart from others, but they can also eat into your profits -- or cause you to come out in the negative. Often times, a little touch up here and there can make a big difference.
2. Clean Up
While keeping your home clean might seem obvious, it can be harder than you think -- especially if your family is still living there.
Have the home ready the moment it goes on the market by starting with a deep cleaning. It will give you less work when it's time to move. You may also want to consider renting a storage unit to remove excess clutter from the living areas and closets. Too much clutter can make a buyer think that your home is lacking in storage space.
Remember, the goal is to sell fast, so take the necessary steps to make it show ready from day one.
3. Set the Right Price
The right price is essential to sell your home. However, for a quick sale in today's market, the price has to be even more aggressive. Experts suggest a price 10% lower than comparable homes, giving buyers the idea that they should buy quickly before it's gone.
The lower price can mean the difference between selling your home in three months or three days.
4. Take Great Pictures
With so many people looking online for homes, it is vital to help your home put its best foot forward. Excellent photography can even make your home look better and bigger than it really is. Make sure your home looks bright with as much natural light as possible.
Additionally, the right angle is vital for a shot with a great perspective. If you don't have a high-quality camera or good photography skills, consider hiring a professional photographer who can make your home look its best. If you want to save money here, consider hiring a student or new photographer looking to add to their portfolio.
Selling quickly can save you lots in the long run making the photographer fee well worth the investment.
5. Post It Online
An amazing 90% of home buyers look online for homes. It is the initial form of research for most prospective buyers. If your home isn't online when buyers search, it will likely never be found.
If you're working with a realtor, make sure your property is listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) as soon as possible and with plenty of details. The MLS is the database where all realtors list their properties. It's also connected to almost every major real estate website (Trulisa, Zillow and Google), so as soon as its listed on MLS it will make its way across the web.
Be sure to present your home in the best way possible in the digital realm, as well.
6. Give It Curb Appeal
After prospective buyers look at a home online, 77% hop in the car and drive by a home to take a look. Give them a great first impression. Naturally, you will want to make sure the yard is free from clutter and debris, and that the grass is neatly clipped, healthy and well-manicured.
If your yard is in so-so shape, adding a few colorful flowers, sturdy shrubs and hearty green grass make for a fantastic impression from the moment potential buyers see it. Also make sure the front of the home is in excellent shape. Add a new coat of paint on your front door and replace any shutters or siding tiles that are damaged.
First impressions help the buyer decide if they want to come inside or not. Help make their decision easy with beautiful curb appeal.
7. Offer Incentives
Consider creative ways to entice buyers to purchase your home. Incentives such as a credit to customize the kitchen, paying for a new roof or cover closing costs are all great ways to make your home too good to pass up. Tailoring incentives to specific buyer needs can mean a quick sale.
The Investing Answer: A quick home sale means less stress and could save you lots of money, even with a discounted price. However, with the abundance of homes on the market, it requires significant effort on the part of a seller to set your home apart from the rest.
