How to Sell Your Home Fast in 6 Easy Steps
(Some excerpts derived from Homes.com and NAR)
Step 1: Price Your Home Accurately
Pricing your home correctly is the most important step to get your home off the market and sold fast.
People tend to overprice their homes in the beginning because of sentiment, or they’ve made a few costly repairs, but an overpriced home will stay on the market much longer or possibly not sell at all.
Here are a few key strategies to keep you from underpricing or overpricing your home:
- Know your home’s value: Consult with your real estate agent: Your agent can review homes in the multiple listing service and perform a comparative market analysis to help you set the best price.
- Get an appraisal before you list: Only 26% of buyers nationally are cash buyers. If a buyer plans to finance, their lender will require an appraisal before issuing a loan. A pre-listing appraisal can help ensure that your sale will not be delayed due to an appraisal gap, where the house is valued at less than the agreed-upon sale price. You will most likely re-negotiate the contract or your buyer will walk away form the transaction if this happens.
Sellers can expect to fully recover the cost of certain outdoor remodeling projects when it’s time to sell. NAR reports that maintaining or upgrading your landscaping can deliver a 100% return on investment, while a standard lawn care service can deliver a 217% cost recovery when it’s time to sell. If you want to boost your home’s curb appeal, here are some low-cost improvements that can make a big impact:
- Planting flowers, shaping hedges and adding fresh mulch.
- Repainting the front door.
- Replacing outdated fixtures such as the mailbox or house number.
- Power washing paved surfaces and your home’s exterior.
Step 3: Stage Your Home to Attract Buyers
Staging your home helps maximize appeal by highlighting the best features of your floor plan and minimizing potential flaws. This allows potential buyers to visualize themselves in the space.
If a house is a bit more cluttered or tired looking, staging makes a huge difference. Potential buyers will be able to envision a cleaner look. According to NAR, 81% of buyer’s agents in 2023 said staging helped buyers picture themselves living in a new home. Whether you go the DIY route or hire professionals, here are some basics to create that ‘WOW’ factor:
- Declutter: 96% of Realtors recommend decluttering your home during the staging process. Remove excess furniture, exercise equipment, children’s toys and pet crates. Organize your closets to highlight the available storage.
- Deep clean: 88% of agents recommend cleaning the whole home. Have the carpets, floors, baseboards, bathrooms and appliances cleaned.
- Repair: 72% of agents recommend small repairs. Make small upgrades to the bathrooms and kitchen, replace doorknobs and light fixtures and repair wall cracks.
- Depersonalize: 65% of agents stress the importance of depersonalizing your space. Clear out family photos and mementos. Decorate with neutral colors like white or beige linen.
- Paint: Among the agents surveyed, 58% recommend paint touch-ups, and 57% suggest repainting interior walls. Touch up the paint throughout so that your walls look their best. If you’ve chosen bold colors for certain rooms, consider repainting them in a light, neutral tone.
Step 4: Market Your Home for a Quick Sale
An effective marketing strategy creates a sense of urgency, increases visibility and attracts more offers – all of which can lead to a faster home sale.
Peak buying season is April through June, so listing during that time frame can help you realize the quickest home sale. Still, there are three key ways that you can promote your home, regardless of when you decide to sell.
- Open houses: Host open houses so prospective buyers can view your home in person. Turn lights on in every room, display fresh cut flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit, a scented candle or essential oil infuser, Fresh baked goods - appealing to all of the senses and make it inviting.
- Online platforms: Maximize your exposure by helping your Realtor share your listing on social media sites and with local neighborhood groups.
- Neighborhood/local channels: Community bulletin boards and newsletters are a free, effective way to increase exposure.
Step 5: Be Flexible with Showings
A well-marketed home generates interest, but allowing buyers to experience the space in person can seal the deal. Since buyers want to see homes on their schedules, being flexible with showings can increase your chances of selling quickly. Have as much access as possible.
Provide availability on evenings and weekends, and do your best to make your home available on short notice for potential buyers. Keep your home show-ready at all times.
Step 6: Respond Quickly to Offers
Swift and clear communication can be the difference between closing the deal and a potential buyer losing interest. Quick responses, even to lower offers, can speed up the process and show a willingness to work with buyers. Be as open to negotiation and flexible with closing dates as possible to keep the process moving toward a quick sale.
Finally, on Selling a Fast Home Sale
Selling your home fast comes down to putting your best foot forward when you take steps to price, prepare and market your property. Working with an experienced real estate agent such as JoAnn Young is also key to navigating the process. With these tips, you can maximize the odds for a swift and successful sale.
Contact JoAnn Young to list & sell your home!
321-243-4917
