Less than seven weeks—that’s how long the average home stays on the market. But what if you don’t have that long—do you have to accept a low-ball offer? Not necessarily. If you have a few days to spare, you can put in some home improvement work that will get you a quicker sale without having to compromise too much on price. The Lynch Group makes this all possible by deferring remodel costs until the close of escrow with no fee or interest. Here’s what to do.
Remodeling
If you’re looking for a quick sale, you don’t want to wait around for a couple of months while you get major renovations done. In fact, you should already have a list of things you’d want to get done to prepare for the inevitable open house the moment you decide to sell.
However, there are some quick, cheap updates you can do that can make your home more attractive to buyers. Some key areas include:
- Repainting or replacing the front door
- Adding outdoor light fixtures
- Updating kitchen appliances
- Replace old and tired faucets
- Repaint all walls and ceilings in light, neutral colors
- Instead of paint, opt for peel 'n stick wallpaper
Staging
When selling your house, proper staging will certainly help get you a quicker sale, but the benefits of staging don’t end there. According to Life Storage Blog, staging can increase your home’s value by up to 15 percent. Start by replacing anything that’s looking worn—duvet covers, drapes, towels, furniture, carpets. Then, declutter your whole house to make it look tidy and spacious.
Don’t neglect the exterior, either—fix issues, repaint where possible, tidy up the garden, and pressure wash all surfaces. Kitchen and bathroom updates are the improvements that will bring in the most ROI so it’s definitely worth working with a professional contractor to bring these outdated rooms up to code and on-trend. Because staging can be so beneficial to your sale price, if you have room for it in your budget, it’s also worth hiring a professional interior designer so that your house looks exquisite to potential buyers.
Cleaning
Dirt and grime can be an instant deal-breaker for some buyers. Assume that each visitor will be making a military-grade cleanliness inspection, and prepare accordingly. Leave no stone unturned—clean all surfaces, faucets, floors, shower screens, tiles, and toilets thoroughly. Windows are often forgotten, but clean windows can literally add extra sparkle to your home while also letting more light in, so consider having them cleaned inside and out. If you have money to spare, it’s a good idea to bring in professional cleaners.
Listing
You don’t have to wait until all the work is done before you find an agent—and besides, it may take some time to find a good one. To get the best agent, talk to their recent clients, check whether they have already listed similar homes, and check their credentials.
Some effort and research will be worth it. A great agent can also help you work out the best time to sell your home, because they’ll have more information on potential price movements in the near future.
Finally, note that if you want a quick sale, you may have to compromise on your listing price a little. Choose a competitive listing price based on comparable properties in the area. Remember to take into account location, home improvements, and, of course, square footage. Again, if you get a good agent, seek their advice on this.
Marketing
The work doesn’t stop when you get a listing—you also need to put some work into marketing your house. They say “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and getting a proper photographer to shoot your house can make all the difference in attracting buyers. Get a professional photographer who specializes in house listings—they will know the best angles to take shots from, and they will also be able to advise you on the best furniture arrangements. Depending on where you live, hiring a photographer will cost you between $500 and $1,000.
Most people start looking for a home online, so once you have some great photos, put ads and posts up via any outlet you can find—as well as dedicated property sites, try Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist, Pinterest, Instagram, and Reddit. Remember to ask your friends to share your ads with their network, too.
If you’re desperate for a quick sale, you have a weaker hand and may need to undercut the market rate a little. However, putting a few days into these home projects can really increase the appeal of your home, and in some cases, even increase its value. There’s no time to lose, so get started with your remodeling today!
Are you ready to put your home on the market? Let the real estate professionals at The Lynch Group help you make the sale. Call (949) 300-7342.
