Here is another question I received from our Families.com forums. It is a very apt question, especially during this time in the real estate market. Debbie V, who writes over at the Money blog asks, “What are the 5 most important things you can do to help your house sell fast?”
This is such a comprehensive question, that I thought I would split it out into two articles so we can give enough space to each point. You’ll find the first two points here and the next three in the second part of this series.
Debbie, I consulted with two different real estate professionals to make sure that I got the best answer, based on today’s slow real estate market. It is all about making your home stand out from the rest. This isn’t necessarily done by a craze of renovation, rather it is by offering potential buyers something that they may not get elsewhere. Here are five things to do to sell your house fast.
Lets start with two obvious items…
1. Price it right.
The correct pricing can make a huge difference in how quickly your house sells, especially in a tough market. Your real estate agent should keep in mind several factors when recommending a selling price, including your desire to sell quickly.If you are given a range, choose the lowest number. Many people think that they can always reduce their price later, but this can actually harm the salability and keep your house on the market longer.
2. Create curb appeal.
With so many houses on the market right now, it is easy for potential buyers to pass you by if the outside isn’t attractive. Trim bushes, plant flowers, paint the front door, etc. Stand across the road and take a good look at how your home looks. Then improve it. You don’t have to spend a ton of money, but you do need to make it look like the home is well cared for and instills pride in its ownership.
Next up, part two, where we get into three things that will really set your home apart from all of the others.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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