How to sell a house faster
This is definitely not the time to sell. The housing market is slow and low and buyers are amiss. However, houses are moving.
And it's not just a matter of the right price or the right match, it's in little details.
First impressions are lasting and there are a few things you can do to make an impression on a potential buyer and get him interested in further discussion. Some are small changes and some are more costly but could ultimately raise the overall value and the asking price for the house.
You should always start outside - this is what potential buyers will see first. Does the driveway look presentable? May Brava from a local real estate company gave us an example of a driveway covered in rust — and the house in front of it was on the market for the last 2 years. The owners finally paid to fix the driveway and within a week they had a buyer. Perhaps, it was a lucky coincidence, but something tells me it was the driveway.
More importantly, look at the lawn and mow it/clean the leaves if appropriate. A good idea is to plant some flowers — this will add some nice color and put the buyers in a cheerful mood. You should also examine the door and siding, especially at the front of the house. Is the paint chipping? This is the easiest fix - go to a local Home Depot, Sears or Ace, get some paint and fix it yourself! Well, the outside is done, let's walk in.
Aside from price, location, the style of the house and the number of rooms, the two most critical rooms in a house for a potential buyer are Kitchen and Bathroom. First, de-clutter. A buyer would not be able to imagine himself in a house with all your pictures and knick-knacks. This actually applies to the entire house, but you have to start somewhere! You can, however, add to the house — buy (inexpensive) curtains, towels and rugs to make the rooms look fresh and new. Even bake some cookies! Nothing beats the smell of a freshly baked cookie... If you have an older house, you can also re-paint and add some tile to the kitchen walls. Perhaps, change a few appliances, but make sure you build these updates into your asking price.
Finally, know how to present the house — know its strengths and weaknesses. You can play to the strengths by starting in those rooms (or having your agent do this). You should also know the weaknesses so you can come up with a solution or negotiate on the price. This knowledge is not limited to your own house — make sure you know the neighborhood — what other houses in the area are selling at, how quickly they are moving and what's making them move. Also know your parks, schools and other local features. After all, it's all about location!
