According to Zillow, the best Saturday to have your home hit the market is between May 1-15th. It will sell, (on average) in as little as 6 days and for more money. Sounds great, right? The reality is, how fast, and what price your home sells for depends on more than just timing. I have had offers for some of my selling clients within 24 hours of their home listing going live. So, what’s the secret? Here are 9 steps to follow to ensure you position your home to sell faster no matter when you list it.
1. GREAT PHOTOS
44% of people searching for a home look online first. This is the place to make first impressions. Typically, if buyers are not attracted to your photos, they won’t set an appointment for an actual walk through. Highlight your property’s features both in and outside. Don’t underestimate the value of great photos.
2. DEEP CLEAN EVERYTHING
Let’s be real, no one lives in a staged home 100% of the time! We all know that. At any given time in my home, you will find my granddaughter’s toys all over the living room, dining room, and kitchen. When you’re trying to sell, having your place look ‘lived in’ can be a draw back. Many times buyers can’t look past a messy, dirty house. If the job is too overwhelming or you don’t have the time, hire a cleaning company to come and do a deep clean of the entire house. I would be happy to recommend a local company here in the Grand Rapids area. When your home is on the market, it must be clean day and night. Don’t overlook these areas:
Kitchen countertops
-Inside cabinets and appliances
-Floors and room corners where dust collects
-Shelves
-Bathroom counters toilets tubs showers
-Inside closets
-Windows inside and out
-Scuffed walls baseboards and doors
-Basement and garage
3. DEPERSONALIZE YOUR HOME
You want buyers to see themselves living in your home and that can be difficult to do if family photos, sentimental and sports memorabilia are all around the house. Clear the fridge of junior’s artwork and family reminders. In addition, it’s a good idea to clear out the things that suggest your religious and/or political views. Think neutral.
4. TURN ON THE LIGHTS
People love bright spaces. Pull back the curtains, blinds and shutters and let the sunshine in. If there is a room or area that does not get a lot of light place lamps strategically. When you are away from home, keep a few lights on so that it’s always ready to be shown at a moment’s notice.
5. BE AVAILABLE
If you are hoping for a quick sale, this goes without saying. Make your home available to view and walk through evenings and weekends. If you need 24hrs notice you run the risk of a potential buyers moving on because of availability. If this is the case, every time you leave you must leave the house in showing condition.
6. MAKE YOUR SPACE LOOK LARGER
Declutter and move out oversized furniture. Don’t underestimate how paint can create a feeling of more space too. Repaint in neutral colors so that a potential buyer can visualize it as their own space. Depending on the value of your home, you may want to rent a storage unit for your big furniture and hire a home stager while your house is being marketed.
7. SPRUCE UP THE FRONT YARD
Curb appeal matters. In fact, it’s one of the ways you can immediately add value to your home (see article here). First impressions matter, and any buyer ready to jump on a deal is going to remember how they felt when they pulled up for the first time. Fresh, clean flower beds, trimmed trees, bushes, and freshly cut grass are sure to impress. Leave outdoor lights on in case potential buyers drive by in the evening.
8. PRICE. PRICE. PRICE.
No one wants to miss out on selling for a bigger profit. But, one thing I have learned is that a property set at an unrealistic high price and above market value will have a harder time selling. Some sellers make the mistake of doing this first with the intention of negotiating the price down later or readjusting the price. With so much available information to both realtors and the public, buyers and their agents know the market value of the home before even scheduling a walk through. If you over price, the chances of a quick sale are gone even after a reduction in price. Remember, nothing sells a house faster than its price.
9. SING IT FROM THE ROOFTOP!
Let friends, family and colleagues know your house is on the market. Nothing beats the power of word of mouth or sharing the listing on social media (today’s form of ‘spreading the word’). Collaborate with your agent on creative ways to share your listing with your local neighborhood. Lastly, personally invite your neighbors to your open house. Your neighbors are the best sales people for your home because they love their neighborhood. This excitement at your first open house is priceless.
It’s hard to know which of these to tackle first. Allow me to walk through your home to share a few ideas on which projects can accelerate the sale of your home. In the meantime, download my Ultimate Guide To Whip Your Home Into Shape and WOW Potential Buyers here.