6 No-Cost Secrets to Selling Your Home Fast and for More Money
Homeowners looking to sell their homes want them sold quickly and for the best price in the market.
Achieving the two can be daunting for many home sellers, especially if they need to urgently sell to relocate to another state for a new job, get away from a fresh divorce, or need the funds to complete a transaction on a new home purchase or business.
It is, however, possible to sell your home fast and for the best price. Some experts believe Thursday and the days between March 11 and March 18 are the best times to list and get homes sold faster.
The week of April 22 is also reported to be the best time of the year to maximize the price of your home.
Although these claims are research-based, it does not negate the fact that people sell outside these periods and still achieve similar, if not better, results.
Here are no-cost secrets to selling your home fast and for more money, irrespective of the time of the year you list it:
1. Work with a reputable real estate agent
There are different methods to sell your home. They include iBuyer, For Sale By Owner (FSBO), and real estate agents.
Of these options, you can sell your home faster and at the best market price if you work with a reputable real estate agent like Northern VA Real Estate Agents – Reynolds Team.
Real estate agents understand your local market inside and out. Some of them have a list of waiting clients interested in certain types of property that might be like yours.
Ensure you only work with an agent who has worked in your area for years and sold many homes. This is evidence of their strong connection and success probability.
2. Identify and set the best asking price
Identifying the best price to list your home can be the major factor in selling it on time and at the best price.
An overpriced home will likely attract few prospects and may not be sold fast. On the other hand, underpricing your home will attract more sellers and may build suspicion as sellers will take more time to investigate the purchase before buying, and while you might be able to sell it fast, it will be for less money.
Finding the perfect price range for your property might be challenging for typical home sellers. That is where the expertise of a real estate agent becomes invaluable.
They understand the market and understand the recent trend.
3. Research ideal homebuyers
Evaluate the state of your home and then research the ideal homebuyers. Every homebuyer has their preference; hence, different properties attract different buyers.
Research your prospects and the kind of property they need. For instance, first-time homebuyers looking for move-in ready homes usually need single-family dwellings.
To attract such buyers, you must fix all home issues before listing. Homes in need of significant repairs will likely attract real estate investors.
Prepare your home to attract the targeted buyers in your area.
4. Declutter and deep clean your home
When it comes to selling a home, appearance matters a lot. This can be unappealing to prospective buyers.
Declutter your home by getting rid of unwanted items. Do a thorough cleaning. Some companies can handle this for you; ask your agent.
If your budget cannot afford the cost of the professional service, ask friends and family for help.
When decluttering and cleaning, pay attention to common junk magnets in the home, such as;
- Kitchen and bathroom countertops
- Inside cabinets and appliances
- Floors and room corners where dust collects
- Shelves
- Tabletops
- Fireplace mantels
- Closets
- Basement and garages
5. Stage your home
Only a few homeowners stage their homes; therefore, you have a better chance of making your property stand out and attract more buyers.
Home staging is an art, not just an act, to display the unique selling points of a home, making it more appealing to a broader range of potential buyers.
It includes decluttering, deep cleaning, and updating the home’s decor. Rearrange the home furniture to optimize the layout and improve the flow and functionality of the spaces.
A good home staging should make the buyer see a ready-to-move-in home with nothing to fix upon purchase. This is because, for every problem they see, they will deduct its cost from their offering price.
Buyers who notice too many things that need fixing will likely pass completely.
6. Take professional listing photos
A picture is worth a thousand words; in real estate, it can play a significant role in how potential buyers assess and price your home.
Every homebuyer checks the internet to find a house, making it more important than ever to ensure you only list your home with the best pictures of it.
Clean, declutter, and stage your home before taking photos of it. Except you have experience taking professional pictures, hiring a professional real estate photographer to get the best possible shots of your home.
If you are taking the photos yourself, avoid using apparent filters that may make it look fake and suspicious to potential buyers. Also, if your budget permits, a drone shot, and 3D walkthroughs can give buyers a detailed view of the home, attracting the best prospects.