Summer is arguably the most popular season for home buying. If you’re interested in selling your house, now is the perfect time to put up that for-sale sign. But if you want to spark a bidding war and get the highest price, you need to do the following things ahead of time.
1. Fix Cosmetic Issues
Nobody expects a house to be perfect when they buy it – especially in this market. However, you should pay attention to cosmetic issues that are easy to fix. For example, holes in walls, broken appliances, ceiling stains, and broken cabinets are all things that can be fixed relatively inexpensively. Go ahead and take care of them prior to listing. Buyers will have less to complain about, which ultimately gives you more leverage.
2. Get Rid of Clutter
Few things are a bigger turnoff to prospective buyers than clutter. You may love your junk and tchotchkes, but nobody else does. It’s hard for people to picture what a house really looks like when there’s stuff in every corner and crevice. Go ahead and pack up the things you don’t need and stick with the basics. An even better solution is to move out and have the home professionally staged.
3. Deep Clean the House
Once the clutter is gone, you can give your house a good deep clean. You can do this yourself, but it’s worth spending a little money and having a professional come out. They know how to hit the right spots, what products to use, and how to make your house look brand new.
It’s important to pay attention to the details. For example, “A lot of homeowners treat the garage like it isn’t part of the house. Unfortunately, this can hurt the home’s image,” Green Residential explains. “One way to really set your house apart and show potential buyers you care is by showing the garage a little love.” In addition to organizing and getting rid of junk, you should wipe down surfaces and have the floor cleaned.
4. Spruce Up Curb Appeal
Curb appeal matters more than you know. From the second someone pulls into the driveway, you want them to look at your house and picture it as their house. You don’t have to go crazy, but do spend a little effort on this front. Clean up the yard, pressure wash the siding, paint the front door, and make the front entryway look inviting. These are all things you can do in a weekend and they’ll allow you to attract more offers.
5. Price it Right
According to this infographic from South Florida Property Match, the most important thing you can do is price your house right. Many homeowners assume they should set a high price so they can settle for a lower one in negotiations and still get the value they want. This rarely works, though.
Your house is going to get the most traffic during the first 30 days. If you’ve overpriced the house, you’ll hurt your chances of getting offers during this important timeframe. Once you eventually lower it to a realistic price point, buyers will have moved on to other homes in the area.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Selling a home can be a time consuming process, but it isn’t rocket science. As long as you understand what buyers are looking for and make the effort to show your house in the right light, you’ll be fine. It’s a seller’s market and you should be able to get a good return on investment.
