From making repairs to utilizing the services of a cash home buyer, follow these general cash-saving tips to sell your house fast in any residential real estate market. Time is not on a homeowner’s side when it comes to selling a property. Depending on the time of year, real estate climate, and market trends, the average listing can sit on the market for months without a bite. For distressed homeowners, motivated sellers, and professionals needing to relocate immediately, knowing what to do to sell your house fast is money-saving knowledge.
1. Scope Out the Competition
If you want to know how to get your house ready to sell fast, there’s no better method than scoping out similar homes in the same neighborhood and area. These properties will give homeowners a baseline for the competition already on market, and help determine the home’s accurate value. It’ll also outline what features are deemed most desirable by potential buyers.
If you look at the comparable homes closely enough, you’ll also gather more tips to sell your house fast. Take note of the homes that haven’t sold within your desired timeframe; if the properties possess certain commonalities – like poor curb appeal or outdated finishes – resolve to offer your potential buyer something better before listing.
2. Make Cosmetic Repairs
Homes age naturally. From home system degradation to peeling paint and broken tile roof, properties typically fall apart faster than their owners. When homeowners are ready to move on, these seemingly superficial issues can cause prospective buyers to skip an open house altogether. To increase curb appeal and better a first impression for potential buyers, homeowners should keep up with exterior maintenance: water the grass to ensure a lush, green lawn and apply a fresh coat of paint to the house and shutters.
For additional tips to sell your house fast, ask a professional landscaper to assess your property and how to make it more appealing. Planting colorful perennials, applying fresh mulch to natural areas, and adding a lavish fountain can set your home apart when listing. Remember to shop around before hiring any professionals to work on your home; you don’t want to waste more time, energy, and money fixing unexpected issues that may pop up due to shoddy contractor work.
3. Price Accordingly
One of the biggest tips to sell your house fast comes when initially pricing the property. It’s no secret that overpricing a home is detrimental to a property’s sale when comparing it to homes offering the same features. To ensure you’re reasonably pricing your property before listing, you must first determine its projected market value.
The simplest way to do this involves comparing it to homes within the same neighborhood, offering the same number of bedrooms and full bathrooms, and with similar updates. If this estimate seems too low or high for your specific home, it’s wise to obtain a home appraisal. Professional appraisers will not only compare your home to others in the area, they’ll also make detailed notes after a walkthrough and factor any property updates – and flaws – when calculating a home’s worth.
4. Consider Selling Your Home Without a Realtor
Homeowners needing to sell immediately should seriously look into listing as a for sale by owner. Instead of hiring a real estate agent, unrepresented sellers decide to sell on their own terms. This is especially great for homeowners desiring a speedy sale. Homeowners listing as a for sale by owner have the control over when their property gets viewed, their asking price, and how to go about advertising. With those experienced in real estate or have a basic understanding of the selling process, selling your home without a realtor is a simple, time-saving solution.
Selling without a real estate agent allows homeowners to move at their own pace. If you currently have time constraints, selling your own home will provide you the means to advertise quickly and show your property any day of the week. As an unrepresented seller, superb advertising is essential to standing out within an industry that’s rife with competition. Attract buyers with unique flyers or hire a professional graphic artist to design a home brochure highlighting your property’s best features. Providing professional advertising materials while offering out-of-the-box marketing techniques is key to selling a home by yourself.
5. Sell to Cash Buyers
The best method to selling your house fast is to locate a cash home buyer. These buyers specialize in purchasing properties quickly – sometimes within a week of first contact – and can offer a stress-free selling process. Cash buyers make a living offering solid selling advice to local homeowners; they know how to successfully sell and the best options to sell fast. They also submit fair cash offers, allowing for a speedy sale and skipping the time-wasting house financing process.
While most house buying companies are legitimate buyers with loads of references and unparalleled professionalism, some are scammers only interested in submitting low-ball offers. Their intention isn’t to provide sound advice and fair market cash offers, but to manipulate desperate sellers into selling well below market value. To avoid these cash buyers altogether, homeowners should research their home’s accurate value before listing. When in doubt, ask to see references.
General Tips to Sell Your House Fast
Selling your house fast doesn’t have to be an impossible endeavor. Instead of allowing your home to suffer months on market without a legitimate lead, take the home selling process into your own hands. Stop relying on real estate agents with multiple listings to focus on your home and take a proactive step to ensuring the successful sale of your property.
If you’ve already checked out the competition, completed all minor repairs within budget, and determined a fair asking price for your home, you’re well on your way to attracting a potential buyer for your home. For more general tips to sell your house fast, consider selling as a for sale by owner and locating a reputable cash house buyer. While the former gives you the control to sell at your own speed, the latter offers the quickest selling solution readily available.
Sell Your House Now!
Realistically, listing with a real estate agent takes anywhere from 4 – 10 months depending on your market. In Des Moines, it could take a minimum of 6 months. You don’t have that time, and we understand that. At DM Homebuyers, we specialize in quick home sales for cash.
We’ll get your house closed, and write you a check on the spot! Call us today to get a no obligations quote for your house, or just to get your questions answered. We’re always happy and ready to talk! Contact us at 515-953-3535.