Buying a home is a milestone that many are glad they achieve, but there comes a time when it becomes inevitable to sell it off. This could be that you and your family are relocating due to a job change, or perhaps you need a change of environment and a fresh start. 

Selling your home needs strategic planning, and it could flop or be a success depending on how you go about it. Here are some top tips to help you attract potential buyers and sell your home fast and at a reasonable rate.

#1: Find A Good Realtor

A good realtor knows their market well and has an impeccable sales record to accompany that knowledge. Additionally, they are knowledgeable of a neighborhood’s important factors, including crime rates, demographics, schools et al.. They will seamlessly act as a liaison between you, the seller, and any potential buyers. 

They will help you price your property, market it, negotiate offers, stay on top of market changes and advise you accordingly. One of the most valuable decisions you could possibly make in your home sales transaction is hiring an experienced realtor.

A good rule of thumb to follow is: the tougher the market, the more experienced a realtor should be. For example, Scottsdale, AZ is seeing record home sales in record time, so an experienced Scottsdale real estate agent is essential to making the selling process smooth.

The same logic applies to areas like Austin, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Tampa Bay, Florida.

To select a good realtor, it is imperative that you conduct a comparative analysis between realtors, meet at least three, clarify your selling motivation, then discuss your selling strategies and preferences. Where possible, opt to use a referral as you will have a basis of proof of performance. However, stay away from family members and brokers that have never purchased or sold in your area.

Another red flag is engaging part-time realtors as they will probably not be following the market actively, therefore shortchanging you. Additionally, those who quote prices above the market rate will cause your property to take longer to sell, likely drawing your final price to be low due to a prolonged listing period and fewer inquiries.

#2: Marketing Your Home

Declutter and desist from leaving too much personality in your home, as this will make it more difficult for potential buyers to envision themselves in your space in their personalized style. Remove all unnecessary items that have gathered in every nook and corner of your home by selling, storing, giving, or throwing away. 

Additionally, remove any large furniture that causes the area to seem cramped and replace it with smaller pieces of furniture. Potential buyers must be able to visualize how the house would appear if they lived in it.

Marketing your home doesn’t just occur on property selling platforms but on what potential buyers see at first glance. For instance, solar lights on the front walk are particularly a nice finishing touch, and it is thoughtful to have your porch lights on during evening hours in case potential clients drive by.

#3: Home Upgrades

Carrying out home upgrades upon deciding to sell your home is almost inevitable if you intend to fetch a good price for it. Apply a fresh coat of neutral-colored paints to your walls to ensure your home appears brighter and more spacious. In addition to a well-maintained roof, front garden, windows, fences, and paths, as well as a well-painted facade, are also significant.

Don’t forget to scrub grout out of tiles, shine floors, and pay attention to curb appeal. Consider that the first impression lasts, and what you offer will either invite or repeal potential buyers.

You may need to change locks and handles to give a fresh look in some instances. Ensure to repair any leaking pipes and faulty gadgets. Add a personal touch like flowers in the living room or fresh produce in the kitchen. This gives your property a personal touch without being intrusive.

When de-cluttering, don’t leave your home empty and void. Strike a balance between removing what’s unnecessary and creating a space that potential clients can relate to and picture themselves living in.

#4: Virtual Tours

You may be one to enjoy dark spaces, likely due to your setback nature, but remember that most buyers prefer good lighting in the home. You may need to consider increasing the light bulbs wattage, cleaning windows, cutting down surrounding bushes, or changing your lampshades to allow more natural light into your home.

Rearrange your furnishings so that your house appears inviting and buyers can wander about without bumping into something. Put bulky objects in storage if required. A crowded room appears to be tiny. These minimal adjustments will help produce brilliant virtual tours due to a brightly lit-up, de-cluttered space.

Providing a virtual tour of your property allows prospective clients to view your home virtually, which is especially ideal for those with busy schedules. It also allows you to reach a wider market as the tour is available online every hour of the day or night. It is also a simple process that does not require special software, thus allowing you to integrate it even on your website.

Providing a virtual tour allows your prospective clients to come in and see your home without being there physically, giving them more trust in your property.

#5: Pricing Your Home

Pricing your home competitively with the help of your realtor to ensure viable market rates is the best thing you can do for yourself and the sale of your home. While you want to be competitive, you do not want to sell at a loss. To determine a reasonable price, your realtor will investigate and research on similar houses in your region. 

If you desire to sell your property quickly, try lowering the price to attract more inquiries and possibly even ignite a bidding competition. Consider reducing the price if no offers are forthcoming by a specified date. Shaving off a generous 15-20% off your asking price will likely draw more potential buyers to you.

#6: Offer Extras

You may consider this as farfetched but consider that offering to cater for the closing costs partially may go a long way in enticing potential buyers to settle on your property. While you may have to dig into your pocket for this, in the long run, it’ll likely save you from the anxious waiting of imaginary buyers and land you a quick sale.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right realtor and knowing what to look for when identifying one is key to selling your home in a timely, profitable fashion. Discuss with your selected realtor on their methodologies, marketing strategies, and market knowledge, as well as competent contractors that you will engage in upgrading your home to ensure it can fetch the best possible rates with the least expense. Set a timeline within which you expect to have received several offers. After that, you may need to re-strategize.