Selling your house used to be easy…just contact a realtor or even use a cheap listing service and the offers flowed in! But in today’s “buyer’s market” there is far too much inventory (houses for sale) to be so easily noticed! What can you do if you need to sell your house quickly? How do you get noticed by hungry buyers? Here how:
1. Repair your property.
If your house has anything that needs repair, you really must do so not only to attract a buyer, but also to pass their lender’s inspection! Loose railings, broken windows, leaky faucets, even the closet door off of its track will turn people off quickly. If you don’t have the time or skill, find a handyman to go through your home and make repairs. Also, consider replacing that old roof if it looks like it might leak, the antique furnace, and the stained rug. If your budget is tight, compare the cost of such repairs to what it will cost not to sell your house quickly!
2. Create curb appeal.
Drive through nearby neighborhoods and notice which houses stand out and which ones you “don’t see.” Make a list of what draws your eye to the attractive homes. Then, drive back to your street and as objectively as possible, evaluate your house. Does it stand out? What minor changes could you make to the front yard and the entry way to catch people’s eyes? Many people won’t even walk into a house (which may be beautiful inside) that looks shabby outside. Now, once that potential buyer is inside, what will they see? Will they feel at home, or will they feel like they’re walking into a cold warehouse? It may depend on your “staging” (see tip #7, below).