The housing market has always been volatile and difficult to anticipate. Even with a surge of prospective buyers looking to buy their first house, it is not uncommon for a property to stay on the market for months.
When it comes to selling a house, price is not necessarily the biggest factor buyers consider. There might be a factor preventing interested buyers from making an offer, but it is not always obvious. If you have problems with a house sale, you may need to step back and re-evaluate your selling strategy.
A and N Mortgage wants to help homeowners sell their houses at the right price and in the fastest way possible.
Here are our ten tips for selling houses quickly:
Do Your Research
Finding the right listing price for your home is obviously critical in selling your property quickly, but it is not simply a matter of setting an attractive number. Some people mistakenly believe that lowering the asking price from the market price will automatically bring in buyers, only to feel disappointed with the lack of inquiries.
Doing your research means taking the local housing market into account beyond market price. You should study two demographics: those living in the area and those who want to buy homes there.
Understanding the demographic will give you a better idea of the available spending power. Single professionals, for example, might be more willing to spend money compared to families with children.
Another thing that you should consider is property appreciation. If your house is in an area with a high potential for value appreciation, you can leverage that into your asking price. It is easier to sell a house quickly if you can justify the asking price beyond a vague “market value” reason.
Invest in Good Photos
Have you ever come across a property listing with poorly-taken photos? Blurry shots, dim lighting, and photos with vague subjects can quickly discourage potential buyers, no matter how interested they are.
Getting a professional photographer to take photos of your house might be one of the best investments. An experienced photographer will know how to find the right angles and lighting to put your house in the best light.
A video is even more valuable than photos because it shows the flow of a house. A simple walkthrough of your home taken on your phone can entice interested buyers better than photos.
When taking photos and videos, you should include any perks close to your home to sweeten the deal. For example, if you live near a great coffee shop or a big box store, prospective buyers will know that they can also enjoy these businesses if they buy your home.
Pay for a Professional Inspection
Any serious prospective buyer will want to get your property professionally inspected before making an offer. Why not take the initiative and get your house inspected before you even put it up for sale? This will go over well with homebuyers since it will prove that you are serious about offering a quality home.
Aside from making a good impression on prospective buyers, having your house inspected will give you the chance to repair any damages. You can avoid long negotiations that will come up if the buyers are the ones who find any problems with an inspection.
Ultimately, getting your property inspected before selling it is a win-win situation. You’ll nip any problems in the bud and get brownie points with interested buyers.
Create a Marketing Plan
Hiring a real estate agent to create a marketing plan for your home is a fantastic way to get the word out. A good real estate agent will know how to tap the right markets and use the right channels to generate interest in your listing.
A comprehensive marketing plan will use all the available tools for advertising your home. Taking out ads in local newspapers can increase the exposure reach of your listing. Yard signs are a great way to attract local interest.
Of course, nothing beats the Internet in terms of reach and visibility. Any real estate agent worth their salt will know which approach best suits your needs and create an appropriate marketing plan. Working with well-known real estate sites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com will skyrocket your home’s exposure.
Show Off Your Home’s Best Side
When they look at a listing, prospective buyers have one thing on their mind: how would it feel to live in this house? If they can’t imagine themselves being happy in a particular house, they simply won’t consider buying it.
Make your house as appealing and fresh as possible before putting your house up for sale. A new coat of paint is a cheap and effective way of sprucing up a house. Choosing a neutral paint color for a fresh coat also allows prospective buyers to imagine how they can customize the living space.
Do a walkthrough of your house and try to see it from a buyer’s perspective. Any signs of neglect, such as discolored walls or broken windows, will show that the previous owner did not properly take care of the house. Would you want to buy a house like that?
You should also consider small steps to make your house feel like a home. Thoughtful elements such as a vase of fresh flowers or neatly-arranged books can give your house a homey and cozy atmosphere.
Do Away with the Clutter
No one likes a cluttered home, least of all one they intend to buy! Clutter not only makes a home look unkempt and chaotic but it also makes rooms look smaller. Organizing storage areas and communal spaces is a great way to make a house look more appealing.
Aside from increasing a house’s appeal, removing clutter also helps prospective buyers determine if their belongings will fit in the available space. Remember, the easier for prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in your house, the faster you can sell it!
First Impressions DO Last
It might be a cliché, but first impressions do last when selling houses. If you don’t take the time and effort to present your home in the best light for prospective buyers, you won’t get another chance.
Don’t just focus on the interior of your house. Your outdoor spaces matter as well. What good will a clean and organized home have if you have an overgrown yard?
Before setting an appointment with prospective buyers to visit your property for the first time, make a “cleanliness checklist.” That way, you won’t overlook preparing any area of your house.
Trust Your Agent
It might be tempting for you to stick around during a showing. You may want to answer questions from the prospective buyers or get a feel for their impressions of your house.
Don’t.
Your presence in the house can intimidate prospective buyers and prevent them from raising any concerns with the real estate agent. Therefore, working with a real estate agent you trust is essential.
Let the real estate agent handle prospective buyers. You need to trust that your real estate agent has your best interest at heart.
Make it Worth Their While
While you can entice prospective buyers by offering to cover closing costs, you can make the deal even more appealing by including select valuables in your home with the deal. For example, if you live near a beach, you can throw in any watersport gear you own.
You can even step it up a notch and include whole appliance or gadget packages with your listing if you can afford it. Prospective buyers will appreciate a complete kitchen setup since they won’t need to buy new appliances.
This tactic is not always practical, but it’s an excellent way to set your listing apart and make your property sell quickly!
Negotiations Aren’t Always a Bad Thing
Once you’ve received an offer for your listing, you should also expect at least some negotiations from prospective buyers. Whether they want to haggle on the price a little bit more or want to ask you to cover the closing costs, don’t feel frustrated when negotiations come up.
Understandably, you want to get the best terms for yourself, but not at the cost of possibly driving buyers away. Make a list of non-negotiable terms and present them to the prospective buyers. It is better if you can justify each item on your list. From there, all the concerned parties will know which areas are negotiable.
A and N Mortgage Can Answer Your Questions
There you have it, our ten tips for selling houses quickly. With these tips, you can find an interested buyer more quickly and close the deal to everyone’s satisfaction. If you’re looking to downsize after selling your home, seek advice from A and N Mortgage as our team comprises experts that will not only hold your hand through the process but also ensure that you end up with the best possible rates. Contact us today at (773) 305-5626!
