6 Tips To Sell Your Home Faster

by Milan Cole - Portland Real Estate
 
When the real estate market was booming it was a lot easier to get your home sold in a hurry, but it's not so easy anymore. In today's market many homes sit unsold month after month. This is not because homes aren't selling, some homes are selling, just not every home. So here is a half dozen tips to make sure that your home is one of the ones that does sell.
 
1. Price It Right: Yes, price matters, so work with your Realtor to make sure that your home is priced competitively. Across the country, homeowners must compete with bank foreclosures that are priced very aggressively. That doesn't mean that you must price your home like it's a foreclosure, just that you need to take a hard look at what a prospective buyer is going to find in your market.
 
2. Clean It Up: A pristinely clean home is much more attractive then a dirty home. Think of your home like a model home at a new housing development. A few dollars or days spent cleaning up can be a difference of thousands of dollars towards your bottom line.
 
3. Pack It Up: A prospective buyer has to imagine themselves living in your home. One way to help them do this is to minimize the number of personal photos, trinkets, and cards that are lying around. This is also a chance to clear off tables and counters and get a head start on packing.
 
4. Fix It Up: One of the best ways to differentiate your home from the many foreclosured homes is to take good care of it. Now is the time to take of any outstanding maintenance issues such as leaky sinks or lights that don't work. It's also a good idea to get your own home inspected before you sell it so you are well prepared for when the buyer inspector comes to visit.
 
5. Consider Staging: Getting a home professionally staged can make it sell faster. Many buyers aren't exactly sure what they're looking for, but they'll know it when they see it. Staging helps them see it by emphasizing the livability of your home through creative interior decorating.
 
6. Curb Appeal: If your home has a yard, them make sure it is well maintained while your home is for sale. Consider doing a little extra landscaping before you put your home on the market. Planting flowers or tending trees and gardens can help ensure that visitors get out of their cars and into your home.