It seems as though all headlines for the past year and a half have stated the same thing: Home prices are rising dramatically and homes are selling in bidding wars! While this is certainly true, there are still plenty of homes that stay lingering on the market for various reasons. As with any housing market, it is important that sellers and their real estate agents put their best put forward with a successful marketing plan. To keep it simple, we will discuss just a few key tips that must be completed in order to sell your home quicker.
Simple selling tips to incorporate
- Curb appeal: We have written about this in previous articles & this tip certainly stands the test of time. Simply put, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. In fact, we have had buyer clients refuse to enter a property for sale as soon as we pulled up in the car. Items such as landscaping and the general exterior appearance of the home play a critical role in attracting interest from prospective buyers. As an extension of this, it is important to remember that virtually all home searches begin online. Therefore, it is vitally important to have professional listing photos accompanying any listing. If your real estate agent insists on simply taking photos with a smartphone, you may want to consider another real estate agent.
- Update the interior: Home renovations can go a long way in showcasing a property. With this said, it is important to be aware of which upgrades will be worth the effort and expense. If not careful, you could certainly see a diminished return on your investment. Some simple updates such as a fresh coat of a neutral colored interior paint can go a long way in showcasing your property in the best light. Additionally, a light colored interior paint may also make the home appear to be more spacious.
- De-clutter the home: Excessive clutter in the home may very well be the biggest challenge faced by many sellers. Not only does clutter turn off potential buyers, it also makes the home feel smaller than it really is. Prior to listing your home for sale, it is highly recommended that you go through and remove excessive items. This will also help to de-personalize the home so that prospective buyers can envision themselves living in the home. If you are not able to part with many of these items, removing them from the home and storing them elsewhere is also an option.
- Hire the right real estate agent: The data is quite clear. Homes that are listed and marketed by a real estate professional sell for more money. A local and knowledgeable real estate agent will not only know the recent trends in your local market, but they will also know how best to market your specific property. Perhaps the most important part of the selling process is determining the correct listing price. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know how to analyze and interpret the market data to determine an ideal price range that will lead to success.
Summary
Determining the optimal listing price and selling a home is a science, whether it is a seller’s market or a buyer’s market. Attention to detail in addition to a few simple tips to prepare your home for sale can make all the difference. Not only can this likely result in a faster sale, but it will also typically result in a higher sales price.
At Live South Florida Realty, Inc. we have assisted many clients build their real estate investment portfolios. Are you looking to buy or sell a property in South Florida? Now more than ever, it is critical to have a qualified real estate team and the proper search tools behind you. Live South Florida Realty, Inc., has been a leader in the South Florida market for many years. Let our team of professionals assist you with buying or selling your piece of paradise today! In addition, our recently launched “Florida Home Search” app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With real-time MLS feeds, this app lets you set your own alerts to notify you as soon as a property meeting your needs hits the market. Furthermore, it will also let you know of recent closed sales in your area so that you may be even more educated on the market. Be sure to download this app for your smartphone or tablet today!
