Tips For Selling A Home Faster, For More Money

For home sellers, there is no time quite like the present. The majority of sellers are looking to find a buyer as fast as they possibly can, getting the best possible price in the shortest time frame they can. That’s easier said than done in today’s bloated, foreclosure-hit markets of course, but by paying heed to the following advice, sellers might just be able to cash in sooner than they think.

Curb appeal is all-important

Experts remind sellers that first impressions are absolutely vital to making a sale. Numerous real estate agents agree that homes with well-kept lawns and inviting exteriors nearly always sell better than those with a cluttered landscape. Quite simply, if the buyer doesn’t even get their foot in the door (and they won’t, if the home is ugly), how are they going to make an offer?

Price matters

Here’s the conundrum – sellers want a fast sale, but at the same time they often have to compete with dozens of other homes (including cheap foreclosures) of similar or lesser prices in their area. The key here is to listen to what your realtor says when recommending a realistic listing price. Agents will determine the best price for a home using comparable sales data of similar homes sold in the last three to six months.

Setting a realistic price from the beginning will avoid wasting time having to drop the asking price bit-by-bit to lure buyers in. For homes in areas where not enough comparable data exists, an appraisal may be a good idea – the appraiser will set a realistic price that any bank will almost certainly agree to by the time a buyer is found and looks to secure financing.

Explain what “Energy Efficiency” really means

We’ve all heard about ‘green homes’,but many of us don’t really realize the financial benefits of living in one. Savings on bills can have MASSIVE appeal for prospective buyers, so sellers are advised to not just point out the energy saving features of their home – but also detail exactly how much money they can save.

Get “Ready”

Let’s face it, the majority of buyers want a home that’s ready to live in. As such, sellers need to make their homes spick and spam. Fix everything that needs fixing. Creaky doors, windows that don’t quite shut, water stains, peeling wallpaper, missing tiles, etc, etc., these all need to be fixed asap! Things like this should be done before the home is placed on the market.