Selling a house isn’t easy, which is why more than 93% of home sellers look to a professional Realtor for help.  Chances are that you’ve heard horror stories about houses that sat on the market for monthds without selling, gradually decreasing in percieved value - and in price! If you’ve been thinking about selling your home and you want to sell your house as quickly as possible, there are a few ways I suggest can help your house sell fast. There are some factors you can’t control, like location, noisy neighbors, weather and market seasonal trends. But fortunately, there are seven important things I suggest you can do to give your house the best shot at selling more quickly and at the best price.

1. Fix what’s broken

While some Buyers are shopping for a "fixer upper" so they can add "sweat equity" to their purchase or "flip" the home for profit, most Buyers are looking for the perfect move-in-ready home. Therefore, some home repairs are key. If your house needs a lot of help, focus on the major problems in your home. Need a new roof? Buy one. But, have it inspected first in the event insurance coverage may apply. A new owner will not want to put a new roof on the house without discounting the cost from your asking price. Remember that most families want something they can move into right away without spending months (or savings)working on it. If there are problems with the home that you can easily fix, whether it be chipping paint or a broken fence post, fix it before you put your home on the market. 

2. Update your appliances

It’s important to remember that homebuyers have specific items they look for in a home. For many, great appliances are Number One on their wish list. That’s where you come in. While you may not want to budget updating all home appliances, take a hard look at what your current setup looks like. Is the stove outdated? Is the fridge about to die? Spending a few hundred dollars on a new fridge, dishwasher, range or cooktop could help you sell your house. 

3. Take breathtaking pictures

If someone is looking for a new home, typically they puruse real estate websites before setting up showings or attending open houses. That is why I always hire a professional photographer with sophisticated equipment and creative talent; "point and shoot" with a cell phone doesn't cut it. If your agent won't, consider hiring a professional.  Highlight the best areas of your home and skip the ones that are less attractive to buyers. If you live on acreage or waterfront property, consider drone aerial photography and - in addition to the stills - include it in  a video presentation.

4. Ditch your clutter

Clearing out junk is easier said than done, but if you want to sell your house quickly, you need to ditch your clutter. Get rid of extra papers, magazines or memorabilia that is sitting around your house. Clean out beneath your beds. Get rid of that pile of clothes next to your dresser. When people walk through your house, they want to imagine what it will be like to live in the home. If you can’t get rid of all of your home’s clutter, try to minimize the amount of things you have on shelves, table tops and counters to present a clean, neat appearance to buyers. If you can't decide what to keep and what to toss at this moment, box it up, label it and store it neatly in the basement. If you have tons of stuff, rent a storage space.

5. Advertise & promote

Your agent will be the first to tell you: you need to focus on advertising and promotion. Buyers may not drive by your house first and see the “For Sale” sign in your yard. Most will probably find your house first online or from a brochure or direct mail piece. So list your house on as many real estate websites as possible, share it on Facebook and try to promote it as much as possible for the best results. Promotion events such as Broker Tours and Open Houses help expose your home to potential buyers and their agents. The vast majority of home buyers are represented by a Realtor, so it is critical to target the real estate community to bring qualified (pre-approved by lender) and motivated (not just curious) buyers to your home.

6. Price fairly

You’ve spent years developing memories in your house, so it’s normal to want to attach a price tag to those. Unfortunately, the reality is that you can’t afford to ask too much for your house. Remember that buyers are looking for a good deal. They want to know that they’re getting their money’s worth when they buy a house. Take a look at what other houses are selling for in your area and price your home accordingly. If you aren’t sure how much to ask for your house, don’t be afraid to contact me to ask for help. A professional Comparitive Market Analysis (CMA) will identify the most realisitc price range at which to start marketing your home.

7. LET IT GO

One mistake that many sellers make is to turn down offers because they don’t like the family, or their plans to remodel your home. Even if you don’t like the person that offers to buy your house, realize that you don’t have any control over what happens to your home once you sell it. If the buyer wants to tear down walls, paint everything green or add a bunch of garden gnomes to the yard, that’s their decision. Let it go. Don’t make personal judgements about your buyers or their plans; sell your home to the firt buyer who makes a financially acceptable offer with terms to accommodate your needs.