In some parts of the country, houses can sit on the market for months before they’re snatched up by someone eager to move in. That’s not good, especially if you want to get started on your new life elsewhere. To make sure this doesn’t happen, you need to get plenty of people interested in your piece of paradise so someone will want to commit to a contract quickly. It’s not necessarily easy, but it’s definitely doable if you follow these tips.
Choose the Best Time and Price
Generally speaking, homes sell most easily in the late spring and early summer, as potential buyers would like their children to stay in the local school district for the rest of the academic year, say the experts at loan company PennyMac. Setting the right price is trickier. Start by researching comparable homes so you don’t scare buyers away by asking for too much, but so you also don’t leave money on the table.
Get the Right Agent
They’ll bring in the crowds if they know what they’re doing. The Forbes Real Estate Council, a group of property professionals, says that chemistry is key. These experts recommend choosing someone that you can work with easily rather than choosing a candidate only based on their experience, as you’ll be spending hours together on this project. You should start your search by talking to other homeowners in the area to get recommendations.
Promote It Yourself
Of course, you don’t have to rely solely on the agent to generate interest. The internet has made it easier than ever to find prospective buyers and show off the best features of your house, even if you’re not an expert. Social media channels are a great place to start, in addition to online housing markets. In either case, you’ll need the best possible photos, and that means hiring a professional photographer with a keen understanding of how to make a home look enchanting in online photos.
Beautify Your Landscape
Before those glamour shots are taken, make sure that your yard looks its best, as scraggly trees and overgrown grass can turn potential buyers away at first sight. To start, prune your trees and remove any dead plants, which has the added benefit of making your property look larger. Remember to keep it low maintenance, as most people aren’t looking for the extra yard work that elaborate landscaping entails.
Improve Your Lighting
This is how you make your home seem more spacious and airy, which is what buyers are usually looking for in a house. Lighting, however, doesn’t just refer to fixtures, but also the sun entering through the windows. That should be maximized by removing heavy curtains, installing reflective surfaces, and even painting the walls in brighter colors. Of course, a few well-placed lamps don’t hurt when casting out the darkness from corners and recesses.
Deep Clean the Whole House
It’s an unpleasant job, but it needs to be done. With the help of some rubbing alcohol, baking soda and vinegar, you can finally remove those unsightly stains from your carpets and furniture, with an iron coming in handy for a quick steam clean. You’ll need to wipe down your blinds and vacuum the dirt out of your air conditioning unit while giving the stove, refrigerator and other appliances a thorough going-over before any visitors show up.
Put on a Proper Staging
It’s all about creating a mood that will make potential buyers want to live in your house, according to an expert writing for finance website the Balance. The landscaping, lighting and cleaning are all part of staging, but there are a few finishing touches to add. These include potted plants, pillows and fresh flowers in all the right places so that each room has a purpose. If you feel you need help, there are professional stagers ready to lend a hand.
Follow these tips, and not only will you have buyers lined up for a tour, but one who’s ready to make a deal when they see what you have to offer. After that, you can finally say goodbye to your old place and move into your new home.
Author
Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. While her goal always includes making homes look beautiful, her true focus is on fashioning them into serene, stress-free environments that inspire tranquility in all who enter. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success.
Image via Pixabay.