How to Sell Your House Fast: Tips To Sell Your Home Quickly
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by Richard Morrison
- January 27, 2020
- Selling
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Selling a home can be a stressful endeavor, especially if you need to unload it quickly. Whether an unexpected move, job relocation, or major life event has you scrambling, take heart. With the right approach, you can sell your house fast and for top dollar in 2023’s shifting real estate market.
Key Takeaways:
- Hire an experienced real estate agent to handle showings, marketing, and negotiations. An agent who knows your area’s housing market can price your home to sell and bring in buyers swiftly.
- Make your house irresistible inside and out with repairs, deep cleaning, staging, and photography showcasing its best features. Fix minor issues, declutter obsessively, and play up curb appeal.
- Be flexible with showings, price drops, and offers. Say yes to all showings, and if your home sits too long, reassess your price. Consider sweetening the deal for buyers with credits or closing cost coverage.
- Explore alternative sale options like investors and house-buying companies. You’ll likely get a lower offer but can close in days without the work of prepping your home for the open market.
Selling quickly hinges on nailing three key steps: 1) pricing right for your local market, 2) making your home irresistible, and 3) accommodating buyers enthusiastically. Hand these well, and your house could fly off the market.
Read More:
- Tips for Selling Your Home – Guide for Vancouver
- Important Items to Do When You Plan to Sell Your Home
- Sold as is
- How to Price Your Home Tips
- How Long Does it Take to Sell a House?
Enlist an Experienced Real Estate Agent To Sell Your Home Fast
Your best ally for a fast home sale? A talented real estate agent. Seasoned agents have seen hundreds of transactions and know how to angle for quick offers in your specific area. Lean on their expertise.
“The longer a home sits, the lower the offers,” says Derek Gutting, a top agent in Indianapolis. “Your agent markets aggressively, negotiates skillfully, and removes the hassles so you can move on your timeline.”
A pro photographs your home, creates eye-catching listings, fields buyer inquiries, and coordinates showings – sparing you the grunt work. They also bring insight into what comparable homes sold for recently to suggest a list price that entices buyers.
So how do you find a real estate agent with a proven record of selling homes fast? Interview several and ask:
- How many days does your average listing stay on the market? The lower, the better.
- What specific strategies will you use to market and sell my home quickly?
- Can I see examples of your marketing materials for other fast sales?
Vet online reviews, and make sure they have strong local connections. An agent engaged in your community with a speedy sales average is your best bet.
Know What Your Home is Worth To Price Your Home Correctly
An accurate home valuation is crucial for pricing right and attracting buyers immediately. Avoid over- or under-pricing by letting your agent run comparables – the sales prices of similar homes sold recently nearby.
“It’s better to list at a fair price and get multiple offers than to overshoot and get minimal interest,” advises top Augusta, GA agent Rebecca Stuppard.
Consider charming just under pricing milestones like $300k or $400k. A home at $395k may get more attention than one at $402k, even if nearly the same amount. Perceive value drives buyer interest.
Make Your Home Irresistible
With an agent secured, shift focus to showcasing your home’s finest features so it practically sells itself.
“Buyers can decide in seconds if they like a home,” says Trisha Roe, a home stager in South Dakota. “First impressions are pivotal.”
Spruce up your home’s looks inside and out with cleaning, repairs, staging, photography, and curb appeal to ignite buyer desire.
Clean Like You Mean It To Sell Your House Fast
Scrub every inch, from floors to ceiling fans. Wash windows, dust baseboards, clear counters, wipe appliances, and purge smells. Neatness and cleanliness suggest you’ve cared for the home.
Stow clutter and personal items so buyers can envision their life within the space. Group items aesthetically, and purge excess furniture to make rooms appear larger.
Hire cleaners if needed. Your home must dazzle.
Focus on Quick Fixes To Sell House Quickly
While major renovations take too long, minor repairs and upgrades brighten your home for buyers:
- Fix leaky faucets and sticky drawers.
- Upgrade lighting fixtures and hardware.
- Paint cabinets or touch-up walls with neutral colors.
- Replace worn carpets or refinish floors.
- Swap outlet and switch plate covers.
These simple improvements make your house look fresh and move-in ready.
Stage It Like a Model Home To Market Your Home Well
Strategic staging highlights your best assets. Work with a professional stager, or follow these tips:
- Pare down furniture and declutter floors.
- Store little-used items and personal photos.
- Keep tabletops clean and counters clear.
- Add plants and flowers for pops of color.
- Make sure rooms feel light and airy.
- Use calming scents like lavender.
Staging helps buyers envision living in the home happily ever after.
Snap Eye-Catching Real Estate Photos
Since most buyers browse online first, quality photography is a must. Crisp, vivid photos get clicks and drive in-person visits.
“Poor photos can make your listing overlooked,” says top Omaha agent Keith Degnan.
Work with a seasoned real estate photographer. If hiring an agent, ask if they include professional photography. Virtual tours also enable buyers worldwide to ‘walk’ your rooms anytime.
Boost the Curb Appeal To Sell A Home
Your home’s exterior makes that pivotal first impression. Amp up the wow factor out front with tree and bush trimming, edged walkways, potted plants, fresh paint or stain, and exterior lighting.
“Curb appeal says ‘welcome’ to buyers,” notes Degnan. “A tidy landscape shows pride in your home.”
Accommodate Buyers During Open House With A Help Of A Realtor
To sell quickly, cater shamelessly to buyers during showings, open houses, and visits. Say yes to all showing requests, even last-minute. Keep your home tour-ready continuously, just in case.
During open houses, put out welcome signs, refresh flowers, bake cookies, and engage visitors. Following up promptly and answering all buyer and agent questions speeds momentum.
“The more buyers that visit, the faster the offers roll in,” affirms Gutting.
Price Adjustments – Don’t Hesitate
If your home sits too long, reevaluate your price.
“Overpricing prevents sales,” warns Stuppard. “Know when to recalibrate.”
Discuss price changes with your agent. Dropping even 5% often jolts a stale listing back to life. Buyers sensing a deal might compete.
Consider Sweetening the Deal
Including closing credits, home warranties, or appliances as negotiable add-ons can incentivize buyers. Helping with closing costs also speeds sales by easing buyer expenses.
When time is of the essence, get creative with terms to hook buyers. Just don’t cave on repairs or inspections that protect your legal and financial interests.
Ask For A Cash Offer To Sell Your House Quickly
If you need to sell your home quickly, then asking for a cash offer might be the fastest way to sell. Cash home buyers are looking to buy your home quickly so they can help you get your home sold fast. Selling a house quickly is sometimes difficult but there are tips and tricks that can help make the process easier. Every home has its own set of circumstances, so you’ll want to know how to price the home correctly in order to get it sold in the number of days you desire.
A real estate agent will be able to give you tips and advice on how to price it correctly and list and sell it fast for top dollar. If time is of the essence, however, you may have to lower the price of the house slightly in order to move it faster. There are many ways to sell your home; explore them all and find out which one works best for you.
Alternative Fast Sale Routes
If you want to skip prepping and showings entirely, selling directly to an investor or house-buying company brings fast cash offers, often within days. You’ll likely get less than listing on the open market, but these avenues remove the work of readying your home to sell independently.
Investors buy properties needing renovations at below-market prices, making their profit by fixing and flipping or renting them out. Companies like Opendoor and Offerpad use algorithms to make instant offers on your home.
You won’t have to clean, stage, or host open houses. After a quick virtual assessment, many of these buyers will make a cash offer within 48 hours. Once you accept, close lightning-fast, sometimes in as little as a week.
Personal Anecdote
Did you know that unopened love letters hidden under the floorboards can delay a home sale? Well, in all my years as a realtor, I’ve only seen that happen once. During a showing of an elderly client’s home, I noticed the buyer kept glancing at a certain floorboard. When I asked if something was wrong, she pointed out a faded envelope peeking out containing decades-old love letters. The client had forgotten all about them! While endearing, those letters led to a three-week escrow delay while we verified they didn’t impact ownership rights. So, word to the wise – thoroughly check for long-forgotten stashes as you prepare your home for market! You never know what personal treasures might still be tucked away.
Making Your House Irresistible to Buyers
Prepping your home for sale can feel overwhelming. But focus first on showcasing your best features through great photography, staging, and first impressions.
Professional Real Estate Photography
Photography shapes buyer perceptions and gets them in your door. Vivid, high-res photos attract online attention and visits:
- Use a pro. Worth the modest expense for quality images.
- Focus on light. Open blinds and position lamps to brighten rooms.
- Wide angles are best. Capture more of kitchens, living areas, etc.
- Include exterior images. Front and backyard views important!
- Try virtual tours. They bring homes to life digitally.
Home Staging Tips and Ideas
Staging presents your house in the best possible light. Here’s how to stage like a pro:
- Declutter floors. Remove excess furniture and items.
- Organize storage. Neat closets and cabinets feel spacious.
- Showcase architecture. Keep furniture simple to highlight built-ins.
- Use accessories. Plants, flowers, artwork make a home.
- Let light flow. Sheer curtains brighten without sacrificing privacy.
“Staging helps buyers picture living in your home,” says Roe.
Curb Appeal Matters
Your home’s exterior makes that pivotal first impression on buyers. Ensure it impresses with these tips:
- Yard work. Neat lawns and shaped shrubs say “cared for.”
- Defined walkways. Clearly lead visitors to your front door.
- Trim trees and bushes. Let your home shine.
- Paint/stain. Fresh surfaces make things crisp.
- Potted plants. Add colorful warmth and welcome.
- Updated lighting. Ensure buyers see things clearly.
“Great curb appeal draws buyers inside,” notes Gutting.
Accommodating Buyers
Once you’ve nailed preparation, shift focus to catering to buyer needs and requests. Say yes to all showings, and have a plan to prep your home on short notice when necessary.
During open houses, make visitors feel welcome. Afterward, engage positively with agents and buyers that toured. Follow up on time, and move quickly once an offer comes your way.
Here are keys for accommodating buyers while selling swiftly:
- Greet open house visitors warmly
- Answer buyer and agent questions ASAP
- Accept all showings, even last minute
- Keep your home photo ready continuously
- Negotiate decisively once an offer arrives
- Move quickly through contingencies and inspection fixes
- Stick to original closing date as able
The more buyers that visit, the faster offers will come. Strive to get as many people through the door as possible.
Alternative Fast Sale Routes
Listing on the open market isn’t your only option. If you want to skip prep work and showings, consider:
Investors – Buy properties needing renovation at below-market prices for quick flips or rentals. Close fast, but expect lower offers.
House-buying companies – Use algorithms to instantly assess homes virtually and make cash offers, often within 48 hours. Also close quickly.
While offers may be reduced, these avenues remove the work of prepping your home to sell traditionally. If cash and speed are most important, they present viable alternatives.
FAQs
Q: What are the best tips to sell your home quickly?
A: Some of the best tips to sell your home quickly include setting the right price, staging your home well, marketing your home effectively, listing your home, and using a top real estate agent. Additionally, considering a cash buyer and conducting an house showing can help you sell faster.
Q: What is the best way to sell my house fast?
A: The best way to sell your house fast is by pricing it competitively and ensuring that potential buyers know about it. Listing your house in multiple places, such as on websites like Zillow or Trulia, will also help get more people interested in buying it. Additionally, having a top real estate agent who can help you market and list your home can be beneficial for selling quickly.
Q: How much should I list my home for?
A: When deciding on a listing price for your home, consider researching comparable homes in the area that have recently sold and checking out current listings. You may also want to talk to a top real estate agent who can give you insights into what other homes in the area are selling for.
Q: How important is staging when selling a house?
A: Staging is an important part of selling a house since it helps potential buyers envision themselves living there. To stage effectively arrange furniture nicely throughout each room and make sure all areas look neat and tidy with minimal clutter around. You may also want to consider adding accessories such as artwork or plants which will add some character and color into each room.
Conclusion
When you need to sell your house fast, there are a few tips that can help you. First, get the best selling price by getting an accurate home inspection and researching local market prices. It’s also important to make sure that your home is clean and attractive both inside and out. To attract more buyers, you may consider advertising online or using a real estate agent for assistance.
Home buyers can provide cash for a quick sale if time is of the essence. Finally, it’s important to be flexible in order to get your house sold quickly. Whether you need to sell fast or just want to avoid long waits in the selling process, following these tips can help you sell your home faster.
Sources:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/sell-down-market.asp
Ready to turn your real estate dreams into reality? Contact Richard Morrison, Vancouver’s top realtor with 20+ years of experience. As a Medallion Club member and RE/MAX Hall of Fame award winning agent, he’s the expert you need on your side. Whether buying, selling, or investing, Richard’s personalized approach and deep market insights ensure a successful transaction. Reach out to Richard today at (778) 900-2235 and make your real estate journey seamless and rewarding.
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