Selling a home in this down economy can seem like a losing battle, but it doesn’t have to be. Take the advice that’s been put together here for you and you might be surprised just how easy selling your property can be, even when the conditions aren’t ideal.
When selling a house, clear as many items out of it as you are able to, even if you still live in the home. Potential buyers have to mentally put themselves in the home in order to seriously consider buying it. Of course, doing this also makes it easier to pack once it comes time to move.
Throwing a memorable open house party means that no one is going to forget about your home for sale. Think about how many houses prospective buyers are going to view and how quickly the memory of a drab, boring viewing will fade. Make an impression with great food, good music and a grand showing to keep your open house party fresh in their minds.
Selling your home in today’s sluggish real estate market can be difficult, but you can make it easier by improving your home’s appeal with some quick and easy fixes. Updated kitchens are a main concern of potential buyers. If yours is outdated and a complete overhaul is too costly, consider having your cabinets refaced. This costs substantially less than investing in new cabinets, and the change can be dramatic. Give your bathroom a facelift with a new pedestal sink and toilet seat. A prefabricated tub surround can quickly make those chipped and dingy tiles disappear. Give the walls of any room a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. Now stand back, and watch the bidding war begin!
When you are trying to sell your home, pay attention to the reality of the market. If your home has been on the market for a long time with little interest, chances are your asking price is too high. Remember, what research says your home is worth is meaningless if no buyer will pay that price.
When preparing a home to sell, consider some basic landscaping. Lush green grass and flowering plants can be put in at low cost and will greatly add to the curb appeal of the home. The increased curb appeal of your property will translate into more interest and even a higher selling price.
Something that most sellers overlook are the light switches. It may not seem important, but old or dirty light switches can send a negative vibe. People naturally look at light switches, and most likely you’ll use them while showing the home. So put out a little extra money and replace all the old light switches in the home and make them look nice.
Instead of defining market value as what buyers are paying for similar homes in your zip code, think of it as what buyers are able and willing to pay. When determining selling price, be sure to make allowances for the availability of short sale and foreclosed homes. A house may be worth it, but only if prospective buyers are willing to pay the price.
To improve your home’s value for less than $20, replace all of your light switches. Light switches are surprisingly eye catching to buyers. A stylish and new looking light switch can raise their opinion of the entire room. On the other side, a worn and dirty light switch can make your entire look less clean.
With a little bit of creative ingenuity and a lot of great tips and advice, you can sell your home even in this economy. Hopefully this article has given you the confidence to know that you can do it and to go forward with the sale of your property.
Joan Holt is a writer and stylist with a passion for the intersection between biology, technology and design. Raised in Bali and of Swedish heritage, She travels across the world have encouraged and informed a global perspective regarding the future of fashion and its relationship to planetary health. She is currently working for a sustainable fashion label in Bali, Indonesia.