7 Tips for Selling Your House Fast

When it comes to selling your house, you want to make sure that you are getting the best sales price possible. You’ve heard of owners who sold their house in a week or less but wondered how they were able to do this. These seven tips will help you understand what buyers look for and how you can sell your home quickly for top dollar.

One: Choosing The Right Agent

Choosing the right agent is one of the most important decisions in selling your home quickly and for the most money. You need an experienced real estate agent with a stellar marketing plan to help get the right eyes on your property. Look for an agent who can understand your situation and needs and has a strategy to sell the house quickly without sacrificing profit and at minimum discomfort. At Summer House Realty our agents have a reputation for being proactive and getting top dollar for our clients while making the process enjoyable.

Two: Prep the Property

Make sure your property, from the foundation to the roof and everything in between is in excellent condition. Then, turn to staging, which is cleaning, depersonalizing, decluttering, and accentuating the best features of your house for sale. Your real estate agent can give you sound advice on ways to spruce up your property to show it in its best light.

If necessary, replace carpets and paint walls. These are two areas that are relatively affordable that can make a big impact and make it a move-in-ready home.

Bonus staging tips: Add a fresh bowl of fruit to the kitchen table; this shows nourishment in the home. Place live plants throughout the house to demonstrate vitality. Add white towels and candles to create a spa-like appeal in the bathrooms. Keep all the window coverings open and the windows clean to allow in the most possible natural light, as well as showing the view. Turn on all the lights and have soft music playing. Make sure the home smells clean and fresh. Odors you may have become nose-blind to can be a big turnoff to buyers. 

Remember the curb appeal! The first thing a buyer sees is the outside of your home. If they love it, they’re excited. If they feel let down by it, they’ll carry that negativity with them throughout the home tour.

If you want a professional job done, hire a home stager who can do the heavy lifting for you. Your agent can recommend one to you. 

Three: Set the Price to Sell

You don’t have to list your house below market value to sell it quickly. However, you do need to price it competitively. Your real estate agent will provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set the price for your property at market value so that it is seen by the right buyers.

If you have a unique property, you might consider the services of an independent appraiser who can assess your home’s worth based on comparable properties but adjusting for factors such as how well the property has aged and how well it’s been maintained. The appraisal also factors in whether the neighborhood has appreciated or depreciated and the finishes and features compared to other sold properties. 

You can use the listing appraisal as a marketing tool to prove to interested buyers that you’ve done the up-front work to substantiate your asking price.

Four: Buyer’s Market vs. Sellers’ Market

To sell your house super-fast and for the most money possible, then list when it’s a sellers’ market.

A sellers’ market in residential real estate is when there are more buyers than sellers, meaning you may have more offers to choose from and property values go up.

A buyers’ market is when there are more sellers than buyers of real estate, which means buyers can afford to be pickier because they have more options, and property values go down or don’t appreciate as quickly.

Five: The Seasons to Sell

Believe it or not, the season you list your home in could significantly influence how quickly your house sells. During hot, sweaty summer temperatures or cold, bone-chilling winters, fewer people are motivated to go out of their house to look for another. However, in spring and autumn, when the temperatures are gentle and the days are bright, more house-hunters hit the pavement in search of their perfect home.

Six: Create a Phenomenal Virtual Tour

The most powerful way to market your home online is to create an unforgettable virtual home tour. Get a professional photographer to take photos of your house from every conceivable angle.

Your agent may have the skills and talents to create a virtual tour for you, or they will pay to have a professional photographer who in addition to still photos may use drones and 3D tours to make your property stand out. 

Seven: Set Yourself Up for Good Showings and Offers

Sometimes you’ll get less than an hour’s notice before potential buyers want to view your house. Be sure to keep your home tidy to ensure you don’t have to turn down showing requests. 

You shouldn’t be present during showings, and it’s best if you take all your pets with you. Pets can frighten buyers and some people may have allergies. You want homebuyers to be comfortable and take their time considering your home.

Don’t be too rigid with your standards regarding offers, or you might end up causing a delay in the sale. For example, you may decide to pay some of the buyer closing costs or offer a more convenient closing date for the buyer. The more flexible you are, the more quickly the home will sell.

Conclusion

If you want to sell your house fast, all it takes is some dedication and persistence. The more prepared you are, the less time it will take, and the higher price you’ll get for your home. Start with the very best real estate brokerage, Summer House Realty. We can help you plan to stage and price your home. Then, make sure you’ve prepared both inside and out. If you maintain your home to a high standard throughout the process, you’ll sell much faster. Talk with a Summer House Realty agent at 904.557.3020 for more tips on how to sell your house fast.