While selling your home can be exciting (especially if you’re upgrading to a new home), it isn’t always the quickest process. If you’ve lived in your home for an extended period of time, you probably have a laundry list of items you need to do to get it ready to sell.
To ensure your house sells quickly once it hits the market, tackle some of the following recommendations.
Ensure the Price is Right
When it comes to selling your home, price is the first thing people typically notice. It’s also one of the top search filters people use when looking for homes online. Work with your realtor to find the ideal price range for your home based on the current markets, your neighborhood, and your home’s condition and features.
While you may think pricing your home lower will lead to a faster sale, it may also have adverse effects. A lower-priced home may lead buyers to believe there are issues with the house. Or you may exclude potential buyers that are searching based on average price ranges for your neighborhood.
Clean & Straighten Up
This is more than just a simple dusting and a vacuum. Your house needs a deep clean so that it sparkles like a fairy tale. Nothing will turn off a potential buyer more than to see something dirty. Plus, it implies you did not take care of your home. Cleaning is essentially a free way to appeal to buyers.
You may consider hiring a professional cleaning service. Most offer deep-cleaning services specifically for home sales or new move-ins.
Pay Close Attention to the Kitchen
One of the biggest selling points for any home is the kitchen. If your kitchen appears dated, you may consider updating it to appeal to more potential buyers. Simply adding a fresh coat of paint, organizing your cabinets and cupboards, and cleaning out the fridge are good places to start. However, be prepared for sellers to try to bring the price down if they think they’ll have to do major updates, such as new appliances, cabinets, or a complete remodel.
De-Personalize
Yes, it’s your home, and you have photos of your family and other items specific to your life. But this is now going to be someone else’s home and new life. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves and their pictures within the living space. Before you list your home, take down all your personal items so that buyers aren’t distracted.
Declutter, Declutter, & Declutter Some More
Just because you prefer a homey, lived-in vibe does not mean prospective buyers will. Remove knick-knacks and other items contributing to clutter until you are ready to move.
When a buyer comes into your home, they want to make sure they can walk through freely. More open space is a top desire, and having your room filled with furniture and items will create a feeling of clutter. Rid your home of things that do not give the impression of a larger space.
Potential buyers will open closets and look to see how much storage is available as they go through. Show them ample closet or pantry space by taking out some items and organizing the rest. Your goal is to make it look like it could be their home, not yours.
Do Not Forget About Curb Appeal
Sellers often focus so much on the inside of the home that they forget the outside creates the first impression. And first impressions matter! As buyers pull up, what do they want to see? If you have peeling paint, overgrown shrubs, and numerous garden decorations, it may turn off buyers. Before an open house:
- Rake up leaves and other yard debris.
- Trim your bushes and trees.
- Mow the lawn.
- Paint your front door.
And while you are outside, make sure to pay careful attention to the windows. Ensure they are cleaned and that the paint isn’t flaking. Buying a home is a significant investment, and buyers want to see that the house was adequately cared for before purchasing.
Stage to Sell
Staging companies are there to help you design your home so that it catches the eyes of buyers. Typically, these companies will move or replace your furniture to maximize the space and appeal to the broadest range of buyers possible.
While you can certainly do it yourself, these are professionals who stage to sell for a living. Their insight and access to neutral furniture may be a worthwhile investment – especially if your goal is to sell your home quickly.
Hire a Photographer
While many real estate companies have their own professional photographers, many do not. Instead, they simply take quick photos with their phone to post online. With most home sales starting online, pictures and videos are crucial. A professional photographer can capture angles that help distinguish your living space and highlight features that appeal most to buyers.
Upgrade
It is important to add newer finishes and changes to your home to bring it up to date. But remember, just because you think it’s nice does not mean potential buyers will.
If you’re repainting the inside of your home or installing new flooring, your best bet is to keep the color scheme neutral. While you want the house to look fresh, you also need to appeal to the most buyers as possible.
Know the Best Time to List
Usually, you want to put your house on the market in the spring or summer for the quickest sale. First, these are comfortable seasons to go house hunting. Secondly, most parents prefer not to move their children during the middle of the school year.
We’re Here to Help!
When selling your existing home and planning to purchase a new one, there are many steps along the way. Our Home Loan Team is here to guide you through the entire process and answer all your questions.
Please stop by any of our convenient branch locations or call 800-782-4899 to learn how we can make your move as easy as possible.
Each individual’s financial situation is unique and readers are encouraged to contact the Credit Union when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article is for educational purposes only; the authors assume no legal responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the contents.