Over 5 million homes sold in the U.S. in 2018. And the number is expected to rise in 2019. Are you thinking about selling your home? Do you need to sell your house in a hurry?
There are lots of things that keep a home from selling. And the first three weeks on the market is important. After that, you won’t get as many offers. People assume the house isn’t selling because something is wrong.
Use these 10 fool-proof tips and learn how to sell a house fast!
Tackle the clutter first. This not only helps with selling but makes moving easier too. Rent a small storage unit. A mobile pod is also great.
You can leave it in the driveway while you’re cleaning things out. Then, when it’s full, the movers can take it to your new place or take it to storage.
Work on removing about one-third of your personal effects. Don’t stuff everything in the closets. Prospective buyers always check closet space. If yours is overfull, the house appears lacking in storage space.
The goal for closets is the appearance of extra space. Clothes should hang freely and not be packed tight.
Don’t leave boxes of things on the floor of the closet. Keep the floor space free. Use shoe racks for a streamlined look.
Do you have lots of books in the living room or den spilling out of the bookshelves? Thin out your books as well. If you don’t want to get rid of them, put them in storage until you get to your new place.
Remove all personal photos, religious, political, and sports memorabilia. Potential buyers picture themselves in your space. It’s harder if they’re looking at your personal stuff.
After decluttering, clean the house top to bottom. Make it sparkle!
The outside of the house is the first thing a buyer sees. Make sure it’s inviting. Tend the lawn. Go to your local home improvement store and get some inexpensive, potted flowers.
How’s the front door? Could it use a new coat of paint? Painting the whole outside of the house is a big investment and it’s usually not necessary. But a fresh coat of paint on the front door is easy. And it adds a lot to the curb appeal.
See the front of your house through the eyes of a buyer. Does the home look well taken care of or does it look neglected? Many buyers won’t go through the front door if the home looks poorly cared for.
Are all the outdoor lights outdated? This is an easy and inexpensive fix. Modernize your outdoor light fixtures for a sleek, fresh look.
Take a walk around the inside of the house. Don’t think too big. If you need to sell your house fast, a remodel isn’t the way to go. And you’re unlikely to get your money back on the investment.
Consider an interior paint job. It makes the house clean, fresh and updated. Use neutral blues and browns.
Invest in small things like updated sinks and faucets. Install new light fixtures if the current style dates the house.
What condition are your appliances in? New appliances are a great selling point. But don’t replace them unless they’re old and dated.
Make sure all the light fixtures have the highest watt bulb possible. Open up any curtains. Consider replacing dark curtains with some inexpensive sheer panels. Pull up the blinds.
Never show a house without making it as bright as possible. Move any furniture that’s blocking a window. And speaking of moving furniture…
Rearrange, remove furniture, and stage the house. Place big heavy pieces of furniture in storage. The goal is rooms that are light, spacious, and decluttered. A professional stager isn’t necessary. But look at your home with a critical eye.
Stage each room so the function is clear. Make sure each room flows into the next. Position furniture for ease of movement through the house. Less is more when it comes to staging.
Do you have a dining room table? Set it with pretty dishes and cloth napkins. Set a nice vase of flowers in the center of the table.
A professional photographer showcases your home in its best light. A pro has the right camera and lenses for getting great photos in tight spaces, like the bathroom.
With so many buyers searching the Internet for their next home, you need great photos for your listing. You’ll also want about 20 good shots of the home. If a buyer can’t get a feel for the home online, they may decline a personal visit.
Use a real estate agent with local knowledge. Check their sales record. Do they sell houses fast? Do they put in effort promoting his homes online?
An agent who knows your neighborhood has information about schools, shopping, and restaurants. They’ll understand the neighborhood dynamics and what pricing trends are.
An agent helps with setting the right price. She’ll use homes in the area comparable to yours in determining the price. Be wary of setting too high a price, since overpricing your home turns off buyers.
Many potential buyers are put off by animals in the home. Remove any traces of your pets when showing the house. Ask a trusted friend for a sniff test. If she smells the animals, get to the root of the problem and remove the smell.
It’s no fun having strangers traipsing through your house. It’s tempting to limit the hours for showing. But flexibility is key. If a buyer can’t get in your house when they need to, they may not come at all.
Rearrange your schedule as much as possible and get those buyers in the house!
Now you know how to sell a house fast. It’s time to get working! It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth the investment. Follow the above advice, and watch your home sell fast.
A little up-front money and elbow grease mean a great return on investment. Declutter, paint, and clean. Depersonalize, update, and stage. You got this!
Look here for more great advice on selling and buying homes.