There is conventional wisdom for selling your home – all the stuff you already know – then there is “insider’ information. What really works the best for selling a home? How can I get people to pay more than asking price for my house? What can I do to make my home more appealing to buyers without spending a ton of money? There are so many questions that don’t get very many great answers…until today. In this article, we wanted to let you in on a few secrets to home selling.
Here are seven insider secrets to selling your home fast and at the right price.
1. “Bigger” Closets
Every home buyer looks for storage, and there can never be too much storage space. Take half of your clothes and accessories out of your closet to free up the space. It will maximize the effect of available space. Be sure to neatly clean and organize what’s left. Buyers can be nosy, so make it work in your favor.
2. De-Personalize Your House
When someone is walking through and viewing your house, you want them to be able to see themselves living in it. Take down most of your family photos and personal display items. This includes memorabilia and keepsakes as well. The freed-up space will also make each area appear just a little larger, an added bonus for any house shopper.
3. Kitchens are Closers
Perhaps the most important selling piece of your house is the kitchen. Spending some money upgrading your kitchen could mean a huge difference in price to the right buyer. On the other hand, a dated kitchen could cost you thousands off of your asking price. Instead of remodeling your entire kitchen, do some simple upgrades that boost the overall look and feel. Repaint the cabinets and get new appliances instead of replacing everything. It will save you money both before and during the sale.
4. Strategically Under-Price
While you may want to price your home above the market value and hope to get people who are willing to negotiate, you may find it more beneficial to “underprice” your home. Setting your home’s price at 15%-20% below market value could cause a shopping frenzy with multiple interested parties. A bidding war could ensue, resulting in a final price well above market value. However, this can be tricky so it’s important to have a great real estate agent who can navigate this route if you choose to take it.
5. “Lighten” It Up
Light is one of the most sought after features of a new home. The more light you have, the more your house will feel bright and inviting. Repaint the walls a lighter color if they’re dark. Open up the drapes. Replace your light bulbs with higher wattage bulbs. Install new lighting if you have to. Allow more natural sunlight to come into your home. The brighter your home feels, the more sellable it will become.
6. Stage It
It’s worth investing in a professional staging company for your home. Home buyers want to imagine themselves living in your home, so make it look as inviting as possible. If necessary, move all of your furniture to storage and have a staging company bring in furniture to give it the perfect look. New furniture also makes the house feel newer, and more valuable in the buyer’s eyes. Take time to stage it just right.
7. Hire a “Real” Pro
Not every real estate agent is created equal. A great real estate agent can put your house in front of the right people, build interest in it, help you set the right price at the right time, coordinate all of the staging and paperwork (there’s a lot of that), and so much more. Work with a pro who has experience in your market and, most importantly, who has great reviews. We’ve been in the business for over 30 years. We’ve seen the good, bad, and the ugly. Hiring the right real estate agent who has your best interest at heart can make all the difference.
Selling your home can be a lot of fun. If you want to get the most out of the process, follow these insider tips. If you’re ready to sell your house now, then let’s talk. We’ll make sure the whole journey is as easy and stress-free as possible.
