When it comes to selling your home, you want the process to move quickly and smoothly. However, that it typically not the case. Selling your home can be time-consuming and stressful, so here are a few selling secrets to make your home selling process simple and fast.

 

Selling Secret #10: Price 

Find out what your home is worth, and then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. Buyers will be rushing to place multiple bids on your house. Even in low markets, with multiple buyers interested, they will bid over what the price of your home is worth. Choosing to price below the true value of your home takes real courage. Most sellers are apprehensive to take on the risk, however it is the single best strategy to sell a home in today’s market.

 

 

Selling Secret #9: De-clutter your storage space

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Buyers are constantly on the lookout for storage space. A great way to emphasis your storage areas/closets is to remove half of the items and then neatly organize what is left. Buyers will snoop, so be sure to keep all your storage, closets and cabinets clean and tidy.

 

 

Selling Secret #8: Light it up

Increase the lighting in your home. After location, amount of natural light and interior lighting is the next thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. To brighten up your home and draw in buyers, take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what is necessary to make your house bright and cheery to make it more sellable.

 

Selling Secret #7: Scope out the agent field

A secret sale killer is hiring the wrong agent. Make sure you have an agent who is totally informed. They must constantly monitor the multiple listing service (MLS), know what properties are going on the market and know the competition in your neighborhood. Find a real estate agent who embraces technology; a tech-savvy one has many tools to get your house sold.

 

Selling Secret #6: Conceal the pets

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You may think your friendly and charming dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you’d be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or cat-lover. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and smell kitty litter, see a bowl full of dog food, or have pet hair stuck to their clothes. Even though your house may be clean, it can give buyers the impression that your house is not. If you’re planning an open house, you may want to consider sending the animals to a pet hotel for the day.

 

Selling Secret #5: Don’t go crazy with improvements

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Quick fixes before selling always pay off, but large makeovers, not so much. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, consider updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Simple improvements can make a significant difference such as; giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, cleaning the curtains or buying some inexpensive new ones, replacing door handles, updating cabinet hardware, making sure closet doors are on track, fixing leaky faucets, etc.

 

Selling Secret #4: De-personalize your home

One of the most important things to do when selling your home is to de-personalize it into a house. The more personal  stuff you leave out, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. This does not mean you have to get rid of all your personal items. Get rid of a third of your stuff and put it in storage. This includes: family photos, memorabilia collections and personal keepsakes. You may want to consider hiring a home stager to maximize the full potential of your home’s floor plan. The stager will arrange your furniture to maximize the use of space.

 

Selling Secret #3: The importance of your Kitchen 

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You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops, while on the other hand, a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-palette so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance, because when people see one high-end appliance they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen.

 

Selling Secret #2: Always be ready to show

Make sure your house is “show-ready” at all times (or at least the majority of the time) because you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You should be available as frequently as possible. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there are no dust bunnies in the corners. It’s a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold.

 

Selling Secret #1: First Impression

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No matter how beautiful the interior, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they enter your home. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entry-ways are a great way to welcome potential buyers by putting in a small seating area, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some homemade cookies.