The last 24 months have been unpredictable to say the least and for many deciding to take the leap – and financial advantage of no stamp duty to pay on their property – to move to a new location. Whether it was to get a bigger home for a growing family or to downsize into a property more befitting, many managed to sell fast and buy quickly. Many managed to sell and are still looking… that’s right, it’s a sellers market out there and if you’re looking to sell your home fast, then we might have a few tips on how to do it.
We can never know when the market is going to change and with the rise of interest rates to 0.75% (at the time of writing) and stamp duty to pay on home purchases, getting your house ready to sell will leave you better prepared for any future decisions.
Here are 9 ways that you can sell your house fast.
1) Choose your estate agent well
An estate agent is a home specialist and what this means is that they have the experience to advise and to give detailed information when it comes to the local housing market. Things like, how hot or cold the local market is? Do they know where they can tap into potential buyers? Do they have a track record of selling homes in your area? A good agent knows all of this, and more.
They understand and can analyse all of the things that need to happen to get your home to sell. Choosing the right estate agent to sell your home can save you time and money in the long run.
2) Get more than one valuation then decide the selling price
One of the biggest mistakes home sellers can make is overpricing their property. It can put off buyers before they even come to view your home, that’s if they’re still interested. Our advice is to get several home evaluations and from there agree a price in your head and with any other party selling the property that you won’t drop below. From there you can price your house competitively and also get peace of mind when it comes to the final sale price.
3) Clear the clutter
We say this a lot to potential sellers, clear the clutter. Your home should be clean and clutter free, that means taking out furniture which is not needed or necessary, making the space more liveable for a potential buyer. You also want to make sure that house is presentable by being clean. Investing in a cleaner to do a big clean before you put your house in the market is always advisable and a cost effective solution.
If you need storage solutions for large items, think about hiring storage lockers for a short period of time or ask to borrow a space in a garage – it’s not like people are locking their cars away in them anymore!
4) Do some needed home repairs
Worryingly, you will be amazed at some of the damage we see in a home that could be easily fixed. From things like basic painting to replacing plug sockets, light switches and even restoring some basic original features on fireplaces can make all the difference. Impressions count and when you’re selling your home you don’t have a lot of time to make the best first impression.
If you’re not handy, make a list of all the things that you can see need fixing and speak to your agent about them. They may know tradespeople that can help or advise against some of the fixes and in return advise on other fixes which will influence price more.
5) But don’t spend too much
You want to keep repairs cost worthy and easy to do. You don’t want to be calling in tradesmen if you can avoid it and you certainly don’t want to be wasting money on things which are completely aesthetic that require nothing more than elbow grease and patience. Keep the repair costs low where you can and invest in bigger things if needed.
6) Like Kitchens and Bathrooms
A cost-effective solution for bigger items like your kitchen and bathroom however are to do some shopping around and getting some good values on things like worktops, cupboard doors and white toilet goods. Ebay and Facebook are great places to look in the market place to get your value items and a tradesman for a day is around £350 so if you have the materials on hand, and to a budget, you can get your work done well. Kitchens and bathrooms really sell a home, people see their time being spent the most in the kitchen whilst the bathroom shows how well the home has been treated. These are investments to make in your home if you want to sell it fast.
7) Improve your curb appeal
Curb appeal is one of the most important things when it comes to selling your home. People will make snap decisions about the state of your house from the curb, so the most important thing is to have a presentable home from the street. Your front garden or on street areas must be clear of clutter, your gutters must be aligned and not hanging in pieces and definitely, definitely, get your windows cleaned. It shows that the house has been well kept and catered for.
8) Get feedback from your agent
If your home isn’t selling for whatever reason, ask for specific reasons. Some things you won’t be able to control such as location or neighbourhood but others, like price or that the buyer felt “more had to be done with the home” can be worked on. It may be that you need to invest a little more in the home or that you find a way to work with your agent to promote the more positive aspects of your home that what you’re currently doing.
9) Step back and reassess
Why not step back and reassess your home after a period of time, if it isn’t selling. Take the time to consider factors such as the period of the year you placed it on or if you have been slightly hampered by local economics playing a part. Taking the time to think through what you want and what you will get from your home sale can make you think of the right strategy moving forwards.
If you’re looking to sell your property, give us a call today for a quick chin wag. We’re always happy to help.
