The time has come for you to sell your home and begin your journey in a new one. Before you can start making new memories in a new house, you have to close the deal on your current house first. Waiting months for an offer is less than ideal; the faster the close, the better! Here are 5 tips for selling a home fast:
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Organizing and neutralizing your home can help buyers visualize themselves living there. Less is definitely more when it comes to showing your home. Take the time to purge your home of what you don’t need and you’ll see instant results! This can help with highlighting the best features of your home while making the space look as warm and inviting as possible. Some common places to consider when reorganizing and remember:
- Kitchen and bathroom counters
- Fireplace mantels
- Laundry room shelves
- Tabletops
- Closets
2. Staging
A study by the Real Estate Staging Association found that homes staged before listing received an offer in just 23 days on average. That’s 90% faster than those who waited months after listing to move forward with staging. Staging is another way to neutralize your home. Though your style may be great, buyers may not think so. It’s best to take all steps possible to ensure buyers can envision themselves living there. In the past, stagers would focus on decluttering and implementing minor tweaks in furnished homes. Today, however, they are more so tackling all-out transformations.
3. Professional Pictures
With the power of the internet and technology, buyers don’t technically need to step foot inside a home before they decide if they like it or not. Professional pictures, videos and 3D virtual tours can help buyers rule out a home without visiting. Since the photos and other promo materials are usually the first introduction of a home to buyers, it is vital that they are professionally done. If you are not satisfied with the result, you should not hesitate to speak up as these will represent your home for all to see. An important aspect of photography is photoshop. Be careful as to not misrepresent your home, but rather to tweak minor flaws, such as dead grass in the winter months.
4. Be Available
Buyers can be working professionals with a limited schedule. Sometimes they require an immediate showing. Even though 24 hour notices are ideal for sellers, they are not for buyers. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because of timing. Something as simple as having a flexible schedule can make or break a deal. Remember, easy access for buyers is key!
5. Price is Right
Of course you want to make as much money as possible when you sell your home, but it’s important to be realistic. If your goal is to sell quickly, it is imperative you pay attention to what the market is dictating at that time rather than what you paid for the house. Using a home estimate tool can help you get a basic idea of the range, but you should work with your New Jersey real estate agent to come up with a starting number. While you don’t have to under-price your home for a quick sale, you do have to price it smartly.
Recommended reading: The Cheapest Way to Buy A House in New Jersey
