The Howard County housing market is currently a “seller’s market,” with the inventory of available homes for sale tight and buyers’ demand strong. Even so, if you want to sell your house fast or get top dollar for your home, there are a few things to do to stand out from the competition.
Hire the Right Real Estate Agent
The right agent negotiates with buyers and sets a listing price at the “sweet spot” for a quick sale. They also correctly market your home to appeal to many buyers, arrange open houses and private showings, and create attractive online listings.
Set the Right Price
Determining the right price is a science, and a great real estate agent prices competitively, high enough for a good profit but within the right price range for potential buyers in your area. Price is a little too low, and you may spark a bidding war, but if it’s too high, then your house may sit on the market. Another thing that a Realtor® may help you consider is the ranges that buyers look at when searching online. For example, if your home is set at $302,000, and the typical search range is $250,000-$300,000, you’ll miss out on a lot of potential buyers.
Deep Clean and Declutter
Buyers want to picture themselves living in a home, building memories with their own families. It’s hard for them to do this if the house is full of your own family photos and mementos. Reducing the personal items in view helps set the stage.
Cleaning the house is another essential. Consider moving clutter and larger items into storage to show the closets’ size and hiring a professional cleaning company to deep clean the home. When the house is clean and sparkling, it’s a much better impression for buyers than a messy home with dust bunnies in the corners.
Improve Your Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home, including the yard, is the first impression buyers have. If the paint is peeling and the yard is full of weeds, you’ll lose a lot of buyers.
A few quick fixes to boost curb appeal are:
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Plant a few flowers, or place flowers in planters near the front door
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Paint the front door
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Power wash the exterior and driveway
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Make sure the yard stays neatly mowed
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Fix any outdoor light fixtures and make sure the mailbox is in good condition
Complete Simple Repairs
There may not be a need to complete major renovations in the house, but there are a few quick repairs you can take care of to get the house in better condition. Repainting the walls, especially if you have bold, dramatic colors, immediately creates the house look fresh and clean. Other fixes can include tightening the door handles and leaky faucets or fixing loose or cracked tiles in the kitchen or bathroom.
Your Bottom Line
Selling a home may be stressful, but the process can go more smoothly with a bit of preparation. You’ll stand a better chance of getting interested and offers from buyers by making the home look better inside and out. At VSells & Associates, we make sure each home we list is thoughtfully marketed and priced to sell quickly. Fill out our online contact form to see how we can help you sell, fast!
