Advice to Sell Your Home Quickly

Advice To Sell Your Home Quickly

Your home will need to be in tip-top condition to compete in the market place and net you top-dollar.
The challenge for home sellers is to guarantee you make the list for a buyer’s consideration, and then stay on that buyer’s short list for as long a possible.

There is always lots of competition in the housing market. Serious buyers have to quickly evaluate homes that meet their search criteria.

Serious buyers are looking for ways to eliminate homes from their list, culling it down to a manageable number for later consideration. Even minor negatives, such as pet odor, a damp spot in the basement, or overgrown shrubs in the front yard can be reason enough to eliminate a house from a buyer’s short list.

In the real estate business, we call these minor offenses “objections.”

And, it doesn’t take a significant offense to create an objection to today’s sellers. Sellers have to figure out a way to make the “short list” of homes buyers are seriously considering for purchase.

Home sellers can best prepare their home for a buyer’s short list by thinking like a home buyer.

Take a walk around your property, looking for anything around your home that would deter a buyer as they consider your home for purchase. If you are looking for advice to sell your house quickly, start by asking these questions about your home:

• Is the landscaping overgrown and out of control?
• Does the front door and entrance offer an appealing introduction to your home?
• Are there odors in your home from pets, bathroom mildew, garbage disposals, etc.?
• Do you have roof leaks or dampness in the basement?

 

Any one of these seemingly minor issues would provide a buyer with an excuse to mark your home off the list.

Should a buyer find any of these problems in your home, you will be eliminated from the running. Meanwhile, the competition will stay in the game. If you find a defect during your walk around the property, get it repaired before you put the home on the market. By thinking like a buyer and looking at your home with a fresh and objective eye for defects, you give your home a greater probability of making a buyer shortlist.

 

How can you place yourself in position to be at the top of a buyer’s short list of homes to consider for purchase?

At this stage of the competition, you need to move from overcoming defects in your home to creating positive attributes that will place your home a notch above the competition.

• Create some curb appeal by planting some colorful annuals in your flower beds and pots.
• Put out a bird feeder to make your back yard look like a nature habitat.
• Place an attractive mat at the front door.
• And, while you are at it, consider adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
• Wash all your windows, inside and out.
• Remove window screens and store them in the garage or basement.
• Place bright bulbs in every light socket.
• Take this opportunity to eliminate clutter from your home. Your home will actually look larger if you reduce the amount of furniture and other “stuff” lying around.
• Rent a storage unit if space is short.
• Replace the shower curtain, hang fresh towels in the bathroom, and replace the lid on the toilet for a “renovated” look.
• Remove everything from the kitchen counter, clean the oven and clean out the cabinets.
• Treat the laundry room in a similar fashion. Remove all laundry from the laundry room on a regular basis.
• Fresh flowers on the countertop and fresh smells in the house will go a long way towards creating a positive impression of your home.

 

Your home-selling competition may not go to the trouble of creating this positive experience, so they are likely to get voted off the list of houses to be considered while you remain in the race.

Making the final cut on a buyer shortlist may require spending a little money.  My dad always said “it takes money to make money.” By spending a little cash to spruce up your home before you put it on the market, you can almost certainly put cash back in your pocket through the sale of your home.

• painting (inside or out depending on your needs),
• removing outdated wallpaper,
• installing inexpensive fans in bedrooms,
• installing new electrical switch and outlet covers
• replacing worn kitchen countertops.
• refinishing hardwood floors in older homes.
• new carpet in select rooms
• a couple of new light fixtures

Your home probably doesn’t need all these projects. But, tackling just one or two of these projects may help you outlast the competition.  Thar’s good advice to sell your home quickly.  Call or text Sally English direct at 404-229-2995 to sell your Atlanta Georgia home.