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How To Sell Your Home Quickly

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Leading Edge

 

How To Sell Your Home Quickly

No homeowner wants to have his or her house languish on the market for months. When it comes time to sell it, you want to make a deal as quickly as possibly to get on with your life. You can sell your home quickly without losing your shirt. Read on and we will look at several steps you can take to replace the “for sale” sign with a “sold” sign.

Pricing

Declining home values across the nation have stabilized, at least in most markets. In some areas of the country prices are on the rebound, but it may take many years before we see prices rise to pre-recession levels.

Homeowners must know what their homes are worth and price it accordingly. In some markets that may mean being flexible, especially if home prices are trending downward. You can determine your home’s price by reviewing sales comparables, deducing your price from that data. Consider coming up with a price and discounting it by two or three percent to make it more marketable from the outset.

Impressions

Never underestimate the importance of first impressions. That is exactly what people will do when they drive up in front of your home. That curb appeal will be recognized within mere seconds.

You can give your home a positive first impression by ensuring that it looks spotless and clean from the street. The grass should be cut, bushes trimmed, walkways swept, leaves removed and flowers on display. The paint and roof should be in good condition, your windows cleaned and the front door and step must be in welcoming condition.

Next, concentrate on the inside of your home. Here, you will want to remove clutter including cleaning off kitchen counters, removing excess furniture from some rooms and pulling extra pictures off of the wall. You will want to give your entire home a good scrub down too. Paint ceilings and walls if needed and match room colors with the drapes to make small rooms appear larger. Essentially, you are staging your home for sale, attempting to make a good second impression that follows on the heels of a favorable curb appeal.

Agent

Unless you are planning to do a “for sale by owner” you will need to find a real estate agent to sell your home. This professional should come highly recommended with the sales and experience to back it up.

If you are unsure of whom to use, ask friends, family members and neighbors about their experiences. You can also check online and enter the terms “top real estate agents” followed by your city’s name. Know that the web results can be gamed, but visit several websites to see what these agents have to say about themselves. Make a list of three or four agents and call each one to learn what they can do for you.

Attorney

Another professional that will play an important role in the process is your attorney. Likely, you will not call upon her until you have a bid. It is at this point where you want your attorney to review the home sell agreement to protect your interests. Do not worry here: the buyer will also retain the services of an attorney to protect his own interests. 

An attorney experienced with handling real estate sales will carefully review your contract and make changes. She can also identify potential problems and expedite the closing process. When it comes to selling your home fast an excellent attorney will play a critical role here.

Offers

If you want to solicit multiple offers for your home, you can do so by lopping even a greater percentage from your homes price. Some experts suggest that you take off at least 10 to 15 percent to attract more buyers and therefore more offers. Multiple offers could come in, enabling you to get more for your home. Serious buyers will also be ready to make a deal, enabling you to close on your home fast just as you set out to do. 

Being a knowledgable seller will help you sell your home quickly.

 

Comments (5)

Tracy Oliva
West USA Realty - Arizona - Fountain Hills, AZ
The Oliva Team Arizona Agents

This is some very good Info for all in the business,  keep up the good work and good luck in 2013 with your business,   E

Feb 27, 2013 08:09 PM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

This is a good real estate 101 that does not get old. A good reminder as we get ready to head into the season.

Feb 27, 2013 08:13 PM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Hi Heidi,

A good reminder that there is an order and if followed a successful home buying experience will follow

Feb 27, 2013 08:23 PM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Good Morning Heidi, You have the right steps and good advice for getting your home sold.

Feb 27, 2013 08:39 PM
Heidi Kelley
Keller Williams Realty Leading Edge - East Providence, RI
Your Rhode Island Real Estate Connection

Ed- Thanks for your comments and the well wishes.

Ellie- My thoughts exactly. 

Dan- Teaching buyers that there is an order or process to home buying is my goal.

Captain Wayne- Thanks!

Feb 28, 2013 09:18 PM