How do I sell my home FAST in Austin Texas?
This is a frequent question I run across as a REALTOR serving Austin Texas. Many of the homes I've marketed for sale in Austin Texas have gone pending in as little as hours upon hitting the market. While others have gone pending in just a matter of days.
A select few, less than 5% on average, may sit on the market for several months. So what makes one home sell quicker than another?
The short answer is Planning, Preparation, more Preparation, and then PERFORMING!
Here is my guide to help you answer, "How do I sell my home FAST in Austin Texas?". Follow these step to ensure your success!
Phase I: Planning
1.) Decide on an allowance for repair issues, cleaning, and updating certain necessary items around your home.
2.) Make a list of items that need to be repaired, cleaned, and upgraded to make the home POP. IF you don't have the funds to repair necessary items or clean and upgrade certain parts of the home, remember it will be reflected in the homes sale price.
Disclaimer: It's best to discuss what should be repaired and upgraded with a real estate professional. You want to maximize your return after all. Why make a $100.00 investment that may only NET you $60.00? Then again, some repairs may not make you a net profit, but your future buyers lender/bank will require it to be repaired. Again, it's important to go over these items with a real estate professional.
3.) Get market data for your neighborhood. You'll want a list of homes currently for sale, homes pending sale, and a list of homes that have recently sold. Your REALTOR should provide this data for you. This market data is critical when you determine how much to market your home for sale.
4.) To stage or not to stage? Staging will help sell a home quicker and for more money! No doubt about it. You have two options, either stage the home using your existing furniture or call a home staging professional that has her own furniture and decor. Home staging typically cost $1.00 per square foot of area that they stage and a monthly inventory fee of $350.00.
5.) The last step in planning to sell your home. Choose an Austin Texas REALTOR! You want someone with an extensive marketing plan that is in the business FULL-TIME! A full-time agent will know the market better than someone working only part-time. A full-time agent is more motivated to ensure your home sells quickly! In my case I eat, sleep, and breath selling homes. My livelihood depends on your success!
Phase II: Preparation
1.) By now you've made your list of items to repair, clean, and upgrade. Now Execute! Don't skimp over anything on this list! Do not wait to finish a task on this list after the home has been put up for sale. You only get one opportunity to make a good first impression!
NOTE: I typically recommend my clients have the home inspected prior to placing it up for sale. This will avoid any reason for a particular buyer to back out of the contract during their option period. If your home has repair issues, you might as well fix them now, better than it costing you time and money down the road.
NOTICE: AUSTIN TEXAS HOMEOWNERS - The City of Austin now has a mandatory energy audit that must be completed prior to selling your home. That are some exemptions, be sure and ask your real estate professional if it applies to you.
2.) Decide on a price. My method that has worked time and time again is to price the home at the peak of the most recently sold homes similar in size, condition, and upgrades. This price is also contingent on being priced below the homes currently for sale that are similar in size, square footage, and upgrades. A competitive price will increase your odds to have a multiple offer situation.
3.) Get the home staged! Whether by a professional or working closely with your Realtor using existing furniture, it's important you de-personalize the home and de-clutter every counter-top, closet, bedroom, living area, and entry-way. My suggestion is get a storage unit and place your personal items in there. If your still questioning what the house should look like, go check out a local home builders model home.
4.) After you've chosen a REALTOR, you will want to complete and gather required documents for a successful sale of your home.
Example: Sellers Disclosure Notice, HOA Subdivision Information, Survey, Recent Home Inspections, Etc.
Phase III: Performance
1.) At this point your REALTOR will implement a marketing plan. This should include both offline and online marketing efforts. I call my marketing plan, "New Age Marketing". This system has been the secret to my success, unfortunately I can not disclose it online, however, I'd be happy to go over it with a homeowner in person.
2.) Be flexible when coordinating the showing of your home with other real estate agents that bring by potential buyers.
3.) Be sure to tidy your home up and keep it looking clean and neat, especially before a scheduled showing.
4.) When you receive a contract for someone to buy your property, the REALTOR will present it and give you several options; Accept, Counter-offer, or decline. During this phase of selling your home, It's important NOT to let your emotions get involved. Easier said than done, right? Just remember, soon you will be in the buyers shoes looking for another home, you too will be looking for a good deal. This is where having a REALTOR with great negotiating skills will come in handy.
5.) Financing: Before an offer is accepted and signed off by both parties, it's critical you demand the buyers give you a pre-qualification letter. This will prove that the buyer has given the appropriate financial documents to the bank. Additionally, that the buyer meets the minimum requirements including a minimum credit score to purchase a home through that bank.
6.) Inspection Issues: This is one of the biggest reasons a home sale does not go through! Once you have an executed offer, more than likely an inspection will be completed by the buyer. If you had the home pre-inspected this will prevent any unexpected issues. If the home was not pre-inspected, be very careful negotiating what will and won't be fixed. Your REALTOR should help facilitate a Win/Win solution for both parties.
7.) Prior to Closing - Do not remove items that were specified in your contract to stay with the home after the sale. These items could include a Fridge, Washer/Dryer, Custom Blinds, etc. If anything broke or was damaged during the escrow period, replace and fix this item prior to closing. Be sure to notify the buyer of any issues and ensure them it was resolved.
8. At closing - Take your keys, mailbox keys, drivers license, and a BIG SMILE! You have successfully completed the home selling process! Congratulations!
I hope this guide has helped answer your question, "How do I sell my home FAST in Austin Texas?"
If you have any additional questions about selling your home in Austin Texas please call me 512.567.1597
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