If you’re ready to sell your home, you might have a good reason to want to sell it fast. Maybe you are moving to start a new job, trying to coordinate around school schedules, or have a pending offer on your next home. Whatever your reason, we are here to help!
Find the Right Real Estate Agent
If you want to sell your home fast, finding the right real estate agent is the first step. A great agent will know your local market & have strategies to get your home sold. Your real estate agent will help guide you through the selling process. Be sure to be open with your agent about your timeline.
Price to Sell
One of the best ways to sell fast is to price competitively. This is where your real estate agent’s expertise comes in handy. They will find comparable properties in your market to help you decide what the right price should be. Price too high, and you’ll deter potential buyers.
In addition, if the appraisal comes back low, meaning, the appraiser values the home as less than the sale price, the buyers may need time to come up with the additional money or might even back out of the contract, taking you back to square one.
It’s also helpful to think about the price points that buyers search for in your area. If you list your home for $302,000, for example, then you’ll miss all the potential buyers who are looking for homes under $300,000. It’s probably not worth asking for the extra $2,000 if it means fewer buyers will see the home.
Listen to your agent’s advice on the best pricing strategy for your local area and situation.
Clean, Declutter, and Depersonalize
Give your home a thorough cleaning & decluttering, and depersonalize it by taking down family photos & putting away personal items. Create a fresh, neutral environment so potential buyers can visualize themselves living there.
Rearrange the furniture so your home looks inviting and so buyers can move through your home without bumping into anything. If necessary, put bulky items in storage. A crowded room looks like a small room.
Ask your agent if staging might be right for your situation. While it might add a few days to your pre-listing timeline, it might also add more dollars to your wallet. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that, on average, staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than non-staged homes.
Take Care of Quick Repairs
While you might not have the time for any major renovations, taking care of the little things around the home is worth it. Cracked tiles, loose hinges, leaky faucets, and stains on flooring can deter buyers. Try walking through your home as if it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it, and note what sticks out to you. Your agent likely has some good recommendations for a handyman if you aren’t feeling so handy yourself!
Sweeten the Deal
Another way to make the home more attractive is to offer something to sweeten the deal. Buyers love financial incentives, and if you’re crunched on time, consider how you can make your offer one they couldn’t refuse. For example, you could cover closing costs, accommodate move-in or move-out schedules, agree to repair requests, or offer a home warranty. These things often help ease a buyer’s mind and help you bulletproof your transaction. Ask your agent for their recommendations on what will move the transaction forward to closing day.
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We know that selling a home can be stressful, and even more so when you’re on a tight timeline. If you don’t have a big budget to get your home ready to sell, focus on that first impression of what buyers will see when they see your home for the first time. Buyers can make a decision within seconds—when they see your home from the curb, and when they first step inside the front door. Make those seconds count with a great agent, spruced-up house, and strong financial offer.
Interested in speaking with one of our agents? Give us a call at (253) 237-2673 or send us an email at [email protected] to connect with us!