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Despite what you hear from folks around town, selling your home doesn't have to be a nightmare. We've all heard stories of houses sitting on the market for ages, their asking price slowly slipping into the ground, much to the annoyance of their previous owners. This doesn't have to be you. It turns out there are a handful of simple things you can do to help encourage a sale in a reasonable amount of time. The following will explore some of the things you can do to help sell your property quickly.
Don't Dive Into Repairs And Remodels Without A Plan
Yes, snazzy new counters are usually a plus when selling a house. This being said, many people make the assumption that their home needs a complete rehaul if they're going to make a good sale quick. Actually, many home improvements do nothing to improve the value of your home or draw in buyers with cash in their pockets. Any tweaks that infuse the house with more of your personality might not be the right route to go, particularly if you have a taste for old-school decor. Wallpaper as well is a big no-no. Most buyers look at the wallpaper, whether shiny, trendy prints or classic patterns, as a potential headache. Have you ever tried removing wallpaper? That job is the bane of anyone's existence who's stuck with it. Avoid wacky, colorful tiling, solar panels, swimming pools, upgrades people can't see (like plumbing), or anything new in the bathroom. Sellers typically only make back about half of what they spend on bathroom renovations.
If the place needs sprucing up, play it safe and go for neutral, light colors. If you've got the money, kitchen renovations are where it's at. Be sure that you're sticking to welcoming, simple styles like white cupboards. You'd be shocked how fresh a kitchen can feel with a coat of paint on the cabinets.
Get Rid Of Garbage And Clutter
When a potential buyer is taking a look at a home, they're also making a mental list of all the work they're going to have to do. Sometimes a list that's far too long can ward people off. If you've got junk, garbage, kids' toys, and clutter scattered throughout, people are expecting to need to do some of this clean-up themselves. Get a good pair of work gloves and drag those cans out from under the deck. Pay for that old washing machine to get picked up. Not only does this make the buyers' to-do list shorter, but it also gives them space to envision their own touch in the home. Sparse is better than overly cluttered.
A Little Closet Trick
This one sounds so simple you might be tempted to skip it, but trust us, this one can make a big difference. Before people start coming to look at the place, take half of your clothes, boots, coats, and other items out of your closets (ideally, move them to the next house or storage for the time being). What this does is create the illusion that the storage spaces are bigger. Think about it. The biggest closet stuffed to the brim looks tiny. A tiny closet with a broom and a pair of rubber boots in it looks spacious.
Think About Curb Appeal
This one ties into the garbage and clutter point above. Cut the lawn, rake the leaves, gather up the kid's toys, trim the hedges, weed the walkway, fill in those holes your sister's dog dug when you were watching her furry friend—the front yard is the first thing people see when they pull up for a tour. By putting in the effort to make that first impression a positive one, you've done a lot of the leg work needed for a sale. People can get a “good feeling” about your home from the driveway, and you can bet that feeling is going to follow them around as they take a look.
Price To Sell
Of course, the price you choose will depend on countless factors, and if you're struggling with this stage of the process, there's no harm in reaching out to a real estate professional in your area. This being said, homes that are listed at a bit less than what someone might expect or slightly less than what they're worth tend to get bought up fast. No one likes missing out on a great deal. As well, this tactic can also end up producing bidding wars if done correctly. People are willing to compete for a good deal.
Clean The Windows Inside And Out
No one talks enough about lighting, even though all of us are drastically impacted by it. Clean, shiny windows let the best light in, and this means the whole home will be coated in gorgeous, diffused natural light. Because windows tend to get dirty slowly, we often aren't aware of how bad a state they're in. You might be shocked when you see how fresh and welcoming your space becomes once the windows are washed.
Consider Selling To A Company Instead Of Residential Home Buyer
Of course, the above approaches still involve the time it takes to do the work, list, show the home, and negotiate on a final price. Not everyone has the time for that. Sometimes life calls us away quickly for family or career reasons. If this is the case, know that there are alternative options available. Companies exist that buy homes out for cash. They then take the time to tweak the property and sell it in a traditional manner. Search your area for this type of option simply by entering your location and goal into a search engine. Something like: sell house quickly Chicago, can have you with an offer in your lap within 24 hours. Yes, it can happen that fast.
The above tips should help you speed up the selling process. It might be important to note that no matter how fast you think you're ready to sell the property that turbulent emotions are a normal part of the selling process. Don't beat yourself up if you need to take a few moments to adjust to the idea or say goodbye to the place that was your home. It's all part of the process.
