Do You Need to Sell Your Home Right Now?

When it comes to selling your home, timing really can be everything. Whether you have a deadline related to a family matter, job change or other milestones, sometimes, the sooner the better is driving when selling your house. Here are a few things to bear in mind as you to speed up the time of selling your home right now.

Price Competitively

Of course, as a seller, you want top dollar for your property. But from the buyer’s perspective, who are aggressively looking to buy they know a good value when they see one. If a quick sale is what you’re after, get the data on home that sold in your neighborhood area in 30 days or less. There are price points and sales that are supported by home where you live. The right real estate agent will help you determine the sweet spot that gets buyers through the door – and depending upon the market, might inspire an offer. You should not have to offer a “super low price” to sell quickly unless you have a compelling strategy for a “bidding war.” My advice is set a price that will get at least two offers.

Make Your Home Shine

Buyers want a pretty home that looks well kept and maintained. Improving curb appeal and decluttering your home buyer interest that will ultimately lead to a sale. If you have time to sell consider hiring landscapers, professional painters, and cleaners, so you can get the place to tip-top shape and let your listing shine from the first showing. (You might want to read Clean Up Your Act: Get Your Home Ready to Sell or The Home Seller’s Guide to Decluttering Your House.)

Have Disclosures and Reports Ready

Any good listing features the home’s strong points up front, without creating unrealistic expectations that may lead to false starts. Once you have an interested buyer or two, their main concern will be any underlying problems the property may have, such as HVAC issues or spent roofing. Having potential buyers go through the process of hiring their own home inspector, only to discover deal breakers, is a waste of everyone’s time. Consider hiring your own home inspector to do a check on your house so you can either resolve outstanding issues or bring them forth to your buyer. The sooner you as the seller can get on the same page as your buyer, the better your chances of making a smooth, efficient sale.

Sale-derailing deal breakers are a surefire way to slow down any offers or completing the sale. Being upfront with Buyers about any underlying problems the property may have creates trust that in my opinion will allow minor issues to not become deal breakers.

Let Your Friends Know You Are Selling

Posting on social media is one of a few great marketing strategies for selling your home. It can be a good way to spread the word to your personal network and beyond. Sometimes, a buyer could be closer than you think in the form of a friend, neighbor or relative, or someone in their social spheres. The more eyes on your listing, the better. (See also Accelerating Your Home Sale with Social Media.)

The Right Time To Sell

With the current market where inventory of homes is at a premium, today is a good time to sell. When the market changes (inventory  of homes for sale is at least 3 months) putting your home on the market in spring or before June is almost always preferable to starting any other time of the year. If you can wait until the first six months of year, you’re more likely to get more showings and move through the sale more quickly than when there are fewer buyers. If you can’t wait, there may be other options you should discuss or consider.

The time is right, price it right and do it up right, and you should be on your way to the speedy sale you’re after. Remember to set your expectations with careful research and decisions, approach the process with the goal to get you to where you want to live next.