So it’s time to sell the old house. At first, it can seem like a very daunting task with many obstacles in your way. Often sellers just want to sell their house in the quickest most effective way. If you are looking for five easy quick tips to sell your house for more money and faster than normal you have come to the right place.
1. Time to Renovate the House
Fixing up the house may not be on the highest priority list for you when looking to sell. Often sellers are forced into renovating their houses when they don’t need to. If your house is outdated or has severe structural/aesthetic issues, renovating the basics can be a smart move. Flooring, kitchens, and painting are the major items that we recommend looking at first to update.
Finding yourself a good contractor in the Lebanon area can be hard, we recommend checking out Thumbtack or Home Advisor for top-rated pros in your area. One of our oldest hacks is to go to Home Depot or Lowe’s early in the morning (6 am) and look for the contractors who are loading up for the day. These are what we call go-getters in the industry. They usually perform solid work, show up on time, and are reliable. Depending on your area in Lebanon, you may want to forego extensive renovations to your property. If you live in a neighborhood that isn’t the best you may be better off just selling your house as is.
2. Remove Your Personality Fingerprints
None of us wants to own something – but especially a home – that has another person’s personality stamped obviously all over it. For a quick sale, then, depersonalizing is important.
Get rid of any identifying features that make your home stand out – the weird art, photographs or paint colorings. No one wants to see awkward photos of family members on a middle school field trip. Avoid making it look like you live there by finishing individual rooms off (add a couple of chairs to the living room, for example).
Effectively selling a home starts with presenting it as an empty slate. Potential buyers should be able to visualize their best life at your former house when they walk in the door.
3. Outdoor Landscaping
The first thing potential buyers see when they pull up to your home is the yard and exterior. If you’ve wondered how to sell my house fast, improving the curb appeal is one of the best things you can do to speed up a sale.
There are many ways that you can help sell your house quickly. One way is to raking the yard, mowing the lawn, and landscaping the front of your property; this will improve how people perceive “curb appeal” of their home. A well-kept property will look much better on the listing photos than a shabby one. Remember people buy off of emotion, so the nicer your house looks the better the chances a good offer will come your way.
4. Offer Add-ons and Extras
An extra incentive will always make a good deal sweet. The old principle of reciprocity states that if you give them what they want, they will give you what you ask for in return. This goes a long way with prospective buyers who are ready to make an offer.
For example, say you offer to pay the closing costs. This would be ideal for a buyer. Alternatively, you could sell an extended home warranty that covers major appliances and HVAC systems. This will put buyers at peace of mind and make them more interested in your house quicker. You may even want to negotiate leaving behind some of the appliances (if they are nice) so the next owner does not need to buy new ones.
5. Consult with a Professional Real
Real estate agents tend to know their market areas extremely well. They can direct you in a number of ways, including how to stage your home, how much to price it for, and even where to look for potential buyers. Their expertise will save you time in the long run and may even help you sell more than just one home. In exchange for their services, however, they will charge a premium price. Instead, you could contact any of the local home buying companies in Lebanon. These companies buy hundreds of houses per year and can walk you through how to close quickly without additional fees. Often times they will save you money and time by giving you multiple options instead of just listing on the MLS.
About Josh Eberly
A native of Lancaster County, Josh’s roots run deep in his commitment to this community. He especially enjoys helping people find solutions through real estate. Josh is a seasoned investor with experience in many sides of buying and investing in real estate. Josh enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, digital marketing, and hanging out with his family. Feel free to connect with him here.