Georgia experiences a relatively balanced real estate market and boasts some of the most desirable areas in the country. However, selling a home can still be challenging, especially if you're looking to move at a faster-than-normal pace.
With median days on the market rising to over 50 days in the Peach State, understanding what you can do to make your home stand out is essential for a successful sale.
Homeowners often underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to sell their homes which is why we've compiled a list of tips to help you get your home sold quickly in Georgia. As we begin to list off tips, it's important to note that no two home sales are the same and each requires individualized attention to ensure a rewarding outcome.
What is the Typical Closing Cost For Selling a Home in Georgia?
If you’re looking to sell your home in the state of Georgia, there are some closing costs to be aware of. Both sellers and buyers pay closing costs, but typically the seller has more of a financial responsibility. The average range for closing cost fees to be paid by the seller is from 5% to 9% of the sale price.
As for the buyer, usually, an amount between 3-4% of the sale price is due to closing costs. Additionally, one fee that only the seller needs to be aware of is real estate transfer taxes which come out to $1 for every $1,000 of the sale price; understanding what fees and taxes apply to your specific location is key.
Selling a Home Fast in Georgia: Tips & Tricks
Make Quick Repairs & Not Major Renovations
Making smaller, cosmetic repairs is usually the right way to go when trying to sell your home quickly. You don’t need to hire a contractor to make major renovations; simple fixes such as painting walls, replacing broken windows, or fixing leaky faucets can make all the difference.
This will ensure that potential buyers are able to notice the features that are truly valuable in your home, as well as make sure that you don’t have to deal with any potential issues down the road. By starting major renovations during your home selling process in Georgia, you will often come across more obstacles and delays that can ultimately slow down the process.
Minor repairs to consider when selling your home in Georgia include:
- HVAC system issues
- Plumbing problems
- Structural imperfections
- An old or damaged roof
Update the Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the first impression prospective buyers get of your home, and it’s one that you don’t want to miss. If your landscape is unkempt or outdated, it can turn potential buyers away before they even step foot inside.
Take time to spruce up the curb appeal; this might involve mowing the lawn, planting new flowers and shrubs, or giving your front porch a fresh coat of paint. By making sure your home looks inviting from the outside in, you’ll be more likely to attract buyers that are ready to make an offer.
Hire a Top Local Real Estate Agent
This is one step that can not be ignored. Having a trusted and experienced real estate agent in Georgia can give you the edge you need to get your home sold quickly. Not only will they have extensive knowledge of local laws, regulations, and trends; but they also understand what it takes to successfully navigate the buying process which is essential when trying to move your home off the market as soon as possible.
An experienced agent will be able to help leverage their marketing skills, local contacts, and wealth of knowledge throughout the process which can be especially beneficial for those in the market for a quick sale. Furthermore, with access to an extensive network of agents, your realtor will also have their finger on the pulse of what other homes in the area are selling for; this will help both you and your realtor come up with a price that is not only fair but also competitive in the market.
Clean, Declutter, and Depersonalize
This may seem like a no-brainer, but making sure your home is clean and clutter-free will go a long way when trying to get it sold quickly. Prospective buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in the space; personal photos and items can make this difficult as they distract from the overall aesthetic of the home.
Take the time to declutter and depersonalize; this means removing items that hold sentimental value, as well as anything that might distract potential buyers from seeing the home’s best features. Additionally, if you have furniture or other items that take up more space than necessary, consider putting those in storage until the home is sold.
Stage Home & Host an Open House
Staging your home is the process of showcasing its features through furniture and decor, to help buyers envision themselves living in the space. It’s also a fantastic way to ensure that each room looks its best.
You can stage it yourself or hire a professional stager; either way, staging will make sure that potential buyers can see the true potential of your home.
Once you’ve completed staging, hosting an open house is the perfect way to show off your hard work. An open house allows potential buyers to get a first-hand look at what your home has to offer; make sure that you are prepared by having important documents and information ready for any serious buyers.
Consider Requiring a Cash Offer
Selling your home in Georgia can be a stressful endeavor without the right resources. In the current real estate market, one of the best ways to guarantee to sell your home quickly and for an appropriate price is to require potential buyers to make a cash offer.
Potential buyers are more likely to be serious about buying when cash is required upfront, rather than relying on loans and financing which can often be troublesome and complicated. Furthermore, cash offers often result in selling your home faster since there is less red tape involved with those transactions compared to traditional mortgage offers.
Rather than spending months going back and forth with banks or other financial entities, selling with a required cash offer will help move things along exponentially faster.
Additional benefits to taking this route include:
- Save money on real estate commission
- The closing process will be more efficient
- Less risk that your buyer's mortgage will fall through
Choose Your Offer & Sell Your Home
Once you’ve received offers from potential buyers, it’s time to sit down with your realtor and decide which one is the best for you. Your realtor will be able to provide advice on the offers that have been made, as well as help through the closing process.
Before you sign any paperwork, make sure that you fully understand the terms of each offer and what they mean for your home sale. Once everything is finalized, it’s time to say goodbye to your old home and welcome a new chapter in life.
Selling your home in Georgia doesn’t have to be a complicated process; by following the above steps, you can make sure that your home sale is done quickly, efficiently, and stress-free. With the right preparation, you’ll be able to maximize profits from your home sale in no time.
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