Ever wonder why some homes seem to sell the day after the For Sale sign goes up? Well, there are a number of reasons why homes sell quickly; but as a homeowner, you can certainly help the process along by following these quick and easy tips to help sell your home….faster!
Tip #1: Break up with your home
It may sound strange, but the first thing you need to do is fall out of love with your home. Start thinking of your home as a product that needs to be marketed to the widest possible audience. If you still think of your home the same way you did the day you moved in, it will be difficult to begin the process of handing it over to someone else. Emotionally separating yourself from the memories will help you perform all the tasks needed to get your home in buyer-ready shape!
Tip #2: Do a drive-by
Do a drive-by of your home, and ask yourself if you’d want to go inside? Is the lawn manicured and well-kept? Is the front door clean and inviting? Is the mailbox standing upright? Does the house look loved? Homeowners tend to focus only on the interior of their home when getting it ready to sell; but it’s important to remember that a home’s curb appeal is what creates that critical first impression with prospective buyers. Help your home put its best foot forward by breaking out the lawnmower and paint brush to spiffy up the exterior in preparation for all the buyer visits you’ll soon be receiving.
Tip #3: Make beige your BFF
It’s true, beige is beautiful – especially to prospective home buyers! You may love your bright yellow bedroom walls and antique taxidermy collection; but when buyers enter your home, they want to feel like it could be theirs. Buyers need a neutral canvas to work with, and if there’s too much of you and your life on display, they won’t be able to see themselves living in your home. Start the process of neutralizing by walking through your home with your “buyer goggles” on and answer the question, “who lives in this house?” If you are reminded in every room that you live there, then start subtracting down to the point where your home could be anybody’s home. Don’t go so far that the home is lacking personality; just cut back on the really personal and potentially polarizing items.
Tip #3 ½: Get out of the 80’s
An important tip that ties into Tip #3 is to ensure your home is not out-dated. If buyers walk into your home and think they’re on the set of The Golden Girls, you have a problem. Today’s buyers want a home that’s up-do-date and fresh. In a competitive seller’s market, the last thing you want is a buyer to leave your home thinking “That was a great house, but…….” A small investment in updating your bathrooms, kitchen and overall appearance of your home will pay off with stronger offers, and hopefully a quicker sale!
– Amanda