It’s easy to feel biased toward our own houses. We have a lot of feelings wrapped up in them and can see their value and potential.
However, you must remove yourself from your personal feelings and be realistic about your house and how to price it. Just because you think the rotting tree in back adds character, it doesn’t mean potential buyers will.
Do some market research and find out what homes in your neighborhood are selling for. Objectively compare your home to the homes that are selling.
Ask yourself these vital questions when comparing houses:
- What is the square footage?
- What is the square footage of the lot?
- How updated is the house?
- What year was the house built?
- What condition is the house in?
- What perks come with the house?
Most importantly, when looking at all of those questions, make sure you’re being honest with yourself.
If you price it too high, potential buyers won’t think twice about buying your house. If you price it too low, you’ll get the raw end of the deal.
Find a reasonable price that will attract buyers without giving the farm away. Leave some wiggle room in there for yourself for any counter-offers they have, as most people will try to get a deal. Learn when to fight back and when to accept an offer.
Finally, if you really want things done fast, at Uk Property Cash Buyers, their motto is “We buy any house.” They offer a no-obligation cash offer and free property valuation. They essentially take the problem out of your hands.
2. Keep It Clean
Think about how you feel when walking into a loo. You probably don’t think twice about it if it’s clean, but if it’s filthy, it’s all you’ll think about.
The same can be said for buyers walking into your house. If it’s clean and sharp looking, it’s appealing. If not, it’s a huge turn-off for buyers.
First impressions are important, and when selling a house, it may be all you get.
If someone walks into your house and is distracted by how dirty it is, you’ll likely never see them again.
Be neurotic about keeping your house clean while it’s on the market, it will sell faster.
3. Capitalize on Curb Appeal
Speaking of first impressions, what do you think is the first thing people notice about your house?
Curb appeal!
To them, though, it’s not curb appeal, it’s potential. They envision driving home after a long day of work or playing out in the yard with the kids.
Make the outside of your home as appealing as possible. This includes the yard, the exterior of the house, the roof, the driveway, etc. Curb appeal is designed to tempt people to want to look inside your home.
4. Depersonalize It, It’s Not Your House Anymore
While leaving a house and all of the attached memories can be emotionally taxing, understand that if you want to sell your house fast, you can’t look at it as yours anymore.
The first step is to start depersonalizing it. If you’ve moved out already, it will be much simpler. If not, however, you need to start taking down anything that makes it feel like someone still lives there.
Take down any pictures, personal artwork, or decorations that aren’t generic. Make sure all the rooms are painted in a neutral way, so you don’t turn anyone off with lime greens or vibrant oranges. Finally, get rid of any old, ratty furniture.
Make sure your house feels more like a blank canvas, where potential buyers can come in and paint a picture in their mind of what the house would be like if they lived there.
5. Let in the Sun
Our bodies need sunlight to synthesize vitamin D. Sunlight also helps moderate our moods by increasing serotonin production, preventing depression and anxiety.
It’s no wonder then, that we humans are naturally drawn toward houses with big open windows letting in plenty of sunlight!
Capitalize on this innate human desire to be in a house with the sun pouring in from all angles. Keep your curtains open and your blinds up when showing your home. It gives it a happier, brighter, homier feel!
6. Stage It
People who stage their houses can see a 73% increase in how fast it sells.
While it’s important to clean your home and declutter, including all personal items, an empty home can sometimes send the wrong message.
It’s definitely easier to sell a house you’re not living in, but people want to feel what it would be like living somewhere. They can’t do that very well if the home is echoey, empty, and cold.
Home staging gives your house the warm, inviting feel, yet is impersonal enough to allow potential buyers to daydream about living there.
7. Time It Right
Lastly, know your selling market. Time your house right for the best selling season.
In the UK, studies show that selling in the spring, between February and July, is your best window of opportunity. Yes, the competition will be tougher during this time, but so will the buying rate!
If you miss that window, however, autumn is also a decent selling season, though, your window is much shorter.
It’s not impossible to sell in other months, and if you need to sell your house fast during winter, you have to work with the cards you’re dealt.
7. Do What’s Right for You
Remember, at the end of the day, you have to sell your house in the way that’s best for you.
If time is of the essence, you can always refer to companies like UK Property Cash Buyers. If not, you can take a little more time, fix some things up, and try to get a little more out of the sale.
Ultimately, though, the choice is in your hands and the last thing you should do is settle with something you can’t live with!
Whether you are buying or selling, I understand the process which can often be challenging and complicated. I focus on taking the pressure off you, so you can make clear and concise decisions throughout the process. Ultimately, a “successful sale” is my main goal and I utilize our expertise to make that happen for you.
