Selling your home is rarely a stress-free experience. This is especially true when you need to sell your residence quickly, for whatever reason. The good news is that it is possible to sell your home in a short amount of time. You can even do this in a bad real estate market. The key is to rely on several proven strategies that cut the marketing time on residences no matter how the overall real estate market is performing.
Step 1
Call several real estate agents. It's easier to sell a home quickly when you work with a knowledgeable agent who can help you set the right price and get your home in its best possible showing condition. Ask these agents how many homes they sell each year, and how long it takes them on average to sell a residence. Work with an agent that has experience in your particular neighborhood.
Step 2
Set the right price. Review comparables--which show what other homes in your neighborhood similar to yours have sold for--with your agent. Decide whether it makes more sense to set your price above or below these comparable sales. If you want to sell as quickly as possible, set your price lower than what other sellers in your neighborhood are asking.
Step 3
Get your home in top showing condition. Stage it so that it wows potential buyers. Ask your real estate agent for advice about removing the clutter from your house so that rooms look bigger, and about decorating your house to show it off to its fullest potential. Consider hiring a professional home stager to help you rearrange furniture and artwork to best showcase your residence.
Step 4
Compromise when sellers ask for concessions during the negotiation process. In a buyer's market, when homes aren't selling quickly, buyers often ask sellers to lop some money off their asking price, make sometimes costly repairs to their residences or be available for a quick closing. Be flexible and meet any reasonable demands to better your chances of closing the transaction quickly.
References
Ways to Sell a House Fast
Selling a home fast--that’s the dream of most homeowners. When you put your house up for sale, you don’t want it sitting on the real estate market for an extended period of time. This could indicate that there is something wrong with the home and turn off potential buyers. Instead, you want to incorporate strategies that position the home for quick sale by creating appeal for the general buyer with an income adequate enough to purchase your home.
Fresh Paint
A fresh coat of paint can determine whether a buyer makes a bid on a home. Paint the exterior of the home and interior rooms that show wear. In addition, sellers often make the mistake of using colors not generally appealing to potential home buyers. For example, mauve and shades of blue were popular in the 1970s but went out of style in the next decade. Instead, use paint colors in muted earth tones and neutrals.
Repairs
Homeowners are often surprised when buyers submit lower bids on a home based on simple repairs. Save yourself time and trouble later by dealing with repairs now. Do an inventory of minor repairs throughout the home, then complete the repairs before you list the house on the market. You will add beauty and value, reduce negotiations with a prospective buyer and eliminate the need for it down the road.
Curb Appeal
First impressions are critical. Your lawn should have curb appeal, since it typically is the first thing that conveys an impression of your home to potential buyers. Make sure it is in tip-top shape the entire time your home is on the market. Seed bare areas, mow the lawn, keep walkways clear of leaves and clean out overgrown brush or trees. A pristine lawn is primary for a quick sale.
Priced Right
Before buyers see your lawn or your home, they see the price on your home. Price it strategically and don’t overprice it. Compare the aspects of your home with other homes in the neighborhood that have recently sold. All things being equal and for a quick sale, list it at 5 percent below its market value. Also, buyers generally set a price limit on what they will pay for a home and don’t pursue homes outside that range.To counter that, if your home’s list price is $251,000 when factoring in a 5 percent decrease, consider reducing it by $1,000 to list it at $250,000, or even $249,999. That way it falls into a slightly lower range to attract more buyers.
Real Estate Agent
Around 80 percent of homeowners in the U.S. use a licensed real estate agent to sell their homes. When contracted to do so, a reputable real estate agent provides a wealth of support in selling a home. A real estate agent takes on the responsibility to help price your home, list your home, negotiate offers on your behalf and sell your home. Since licensed agents have access to multiple listing services that the ordinary homeowner does not, your home may be seen by larger audiences of home buyers and investors by using a real estate agent.
