Follow some or all of these real estate agent-approved tips for a faster home sale
Selling a home is a big, often emotional decision. The last thing you want is for the process to drag on for months, leaving you in suspense as you wait for the right buyer. Here are 10 proven tips that will help position your home to sell ASAP.
First Impressions Start at the Curb
You need to capture buyers’ attention and interest with excellent curb appeal from the moment they pull up in front of your home. Otherwise, it won’t matter how nice your home looks inside—you’ll never get buyers through the door to find out. Make sure the exterior of your home is in good repair and your landscaping is neat and tidy.
Always Be Ready to Show
Since you never know when a buyer will want to see your home, you need to keep it show-ready at all times. Be especially careful to keep the kitchen and bathrooms sparkling.
Lighting Matters
After location—which of course you can’t change—lighting is one of the most important factors for making a home appealing. If your home has a lot of natural light, be sure to leave blinds and curtains open to show it off. Consider upgrading your light fixtures to help make dark spaces seem more open and appealing.
Showcase Your Kitchen
Buyers want to see clean, updated kitchens with all the amenities. If your cabinets look old or dated, you can repaint them and replace the hardware. Use neutral colors so buyers can project their own style onto your kitchen. If you have some spare cash, consider replacing old or dated countertops and installing at least one new appliance.
Focus on the Details
You may not have the time or money for a big makeover before you sell. However, there are plenty of small, quick projects you can do that will pay off. Consider repainting the walls, cleaning carpets and curtains, cleaning or replacing grout, and making sure all doors and doorknobs work properly.
Depersonalize
Potential buyers aren’t interested in seeing your stuff. They want to imagine their own stuff in your home. The fewer personal items you have in your home, the easier it will be for buyers to do this. The typical rule of thumb is to remove about a third of your personal belongings.
Declutter
Clutter makes spaces look smaller. It is especially important to clean out your closets and storage areas so they will look nice and spacious to potential buyers.
Hide the Pets
Buyers don’t want to see pet food bowls, litter boxes, or clumps of pet hair when they view a listing. If possible, have your pets stay with a friend or relative or even at a kennel while your home is on the market.
Hire the Right Agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is essential for a fast sale. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, we excel in both digital and traditional marketing methods that can help generate attention for your home and position it to sell quickly.
Pick the Right List Price
Your agent will help you set an appropriate list price for your home, based on comparable properties in your local area. While you don’t want to price your house too low, you also want to avoid pricing it too high. You do not want your house sitting on the market too long. Buyers will start to wonder what’s wrong with it, and when it does sell, it will bring a lower price.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re considering putting your home on the market, do not hesitate to contact us. Our agents will be happy to help.