Tips for Selling Your Home Fast: What Are Buyers Looking For

The prospect of selling your home can seem daunting, especially when you’re looking to buy another property at the same time. Check out this article for a few tips on how to make your boost the value of your home and sell it faster.

Homeowners are somehow hesitant to upgrade when it's time to sell. After all, they’re not going to be there for long; investing in the home can easily seem counterproductive. However, home remodeling efforts can easily increase the value of your property. As a matter of fact, upgrading your living place can make the difference between getting multiple bids fast and spending months without any good prospects.

According to Zillow, 2015 will be a big year for home buyers. U.S. rents will outpace home values and Millennials will overtake Generation X as the largest group of buyers out there. Additionally, it’s estimated that buyers will get back more leverage in the market, while sellers will have to deal with competitive pressure for a change. If you’re looking to put your house on the market, you need to get creative. Setting the stage for success is the key to make a lasting impression on prospective buyers. We’ve gathered a few tips that will help you sell as quickly as possible, at your asking price.

Stand Out

The first thing you need to do is improve your home's aesthetics, including the exterior. If you’re selling a house, the front yard is the first thing that people notice. A tended and appealing exterior will make a good impression. Choose colors and designs that will appeal to the widest audience. Fresh paint, attractive landscaping, and outdoor furniture will instantly give the house a cozier vibe. If you have any extra features, such as an outdoor pool or a fire pit, make sure they are clean and functioning. Additionally, consider installing exterior lighting. According to the National Association of Home Builders, it’s the most-wanted outdoor feature for home buyers.

If you’re selling an apartment, stage the outdoors as well. Even if your condo only has a small balcony, make it look more charming by turning it into the perfect breakfast spot. All you need is a coffee table and a couple chairs. Add a few green plants and you’re golden.

Clean

This should go without saying, but properly cleaning the place will go a long way when it comes to attracting home buyers. Due to familiarity, you're likely to overlook some aspects of cleaning that a scrutinizing potential buyer won't. Make sure less-accessed areas (baseboards, blinds, roof gutters) are sparkling. Hiring a cleaning crew to do all the hard work can easily spare you some hassle. It’s the cheapest way to make your home more appealing - shining floors and gleaming windows go a long way when it comes to making a long-lasting impression.

Clear the Clutter

Getting rid of some on the clutter will make the home look more spacious. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in the space, so hide away any extra furniture, clothes, or personal items that are lying around. However, don’t go overboard. The home still needs to feel lived in. A vase with flowers in the living room and a basket of fresh goods from the farmer’s market on the kitchen counter will help you strike a balance between clean and lived-in.

Consider hiring a stager who can help during this process. This can be particularly useful if you don’t have a trained eye when it comes to what works in a space and what doesn’t. Stagers may make your home more saleable, so it’s worth looking into this possibility.

Invest in Technology

Besides making your home as picturesque as possible, you also need to appeal to the largest group of buyers out there - Millennials. According to a survey cited by Avidia Bank, 77 percent of next-generation homeowners prefer a home that encompasses the technological capabilities they grew up with and have become accustomed to.

The survey revealed that participants wanted a home with an energy-efficient washer and dryer (57 percent), followed by a security system (46 percent), and a smart thermostat (44 percent). At the end of the day, investing in technology might prove more profitable than remodeling your service bathroom.

Sweeten the Deal

Finally, another way to make your home more attractive to prospective buyers is to offer certain incentives which can speed up the selling process. Offering to pay closing costs or promising buyers they will be able to close on the home in a short period of time might help you seal the deal more quickly. Leaving behind some home furnishings or appliances that you'd normally take with can also make a difference.

Selling takes a lot of work and the right kind of patience. In the end though, nothing beats a good game plan. Make sure your home is in the best possible shape before showing it to prospective buyers. All your hard work will pay off in no time.

 
Selling a home, especially while simultaneously buying another, can be a challenging process. The article provides several valuable tips to help homeowners boost their property's value and expedite the sale, particularly in a competitive market.

The Value of Upgrades and Market Trends​

The article argues against the common hesitation of homeowners to upgrade before selling. It asserts that remodeling efforts can significantly increase property value and determine whether a home receives multiple bids quickly or languishes on the market.

Referencing Zillow's 2015 predictions, the article highlights a shifting market:

  • US rents were expected to outpace home values.
  • Millennials were projected to become the largest group of homebuyers, surpassing Generation X.
  • Buyers were anticipated to gain more leverage, while sellers would face increased competitive pressure.
This market outlook underscores the need for sellers to "get creative" and effectively "set the stage for success."

Tips to Boost Home Value and Sell Faster:​

  1. Stand Out (Improve Aesthetics):
    • Exterior Appeal: For houses, the front yard is the first impression. A well-maintained and appealing exterior (fresh paint, attractive landscaping, outdoor furniture) instantly creates a cozier vibe.
    • Feature Maintenance: Ensure any extra features like outdoor pools or fire pits are clean and functional.
    • Exterior Lighting: This is highlighted as the most-wanted outdoor feature for home buyers, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
    • Apartment Outdoors: Even small balconies should be staged charmingly, perhaps as a breakfast spot with a coffee table, chairs, and green plants.
  2. Clean:

    Thorough cleaning is fundamental. Homeowners might overlook certain areas due to familiarity, but potential buyers will scrutinize. Focus on less-accessed areas like baseboards, blinds, and roof gutters. Hiring a professional cleaning crew can be a cost-effective way to make the home more appealing, as shining floors and gleaming windows leave a lasting impression.
  3. Clear the Clutter:

    Removing clutter makes a home appear more spacious, allowing buyers to envision themselves in the space. Hide extra furniture, clothes, and personal items. However, avoid making the home feel sterile; a touch of "lived-in" warmth (e.g., a vase with flowers, a basket of fresh produce) helps strike a balance. The article also suggests considering a professional home stager to help with this process, especially for those who lack a "trained eye."
  4. Invest in Technology:

    To appeal to the dominant Millennial buyer demographic, integrating smart home technology is crucial. A survey cited by Avidia Bank (from around 2015) indicated that 77% of "next-generation homeowners" preferred homes with the technological capabilities they grew up with.
    • Most Desired Tech Features (according to the survey): Energy-efficient washer and dryer (57%), security system (46%), and smart thermostat (44%).
    • Profitability: Investing in such technology might be more profitable than even a service bathroom remodel.
  5. Sweeten the Deal:

    Offering incentives can accelerate the selling process:
    • Closing Costs: Offering to pay a portion or all of the closing costs for the buyer.
    • Quick Close: Promising a short closing period.
    • Furnishings/Appliances: Leaving behind certain home furnishings or appliances that would typically be taken.
The article concludes by reiterating that selling a home requires hard work, patience, and a well-thought-out "game plan." Ensuring the home is in its best possible shape before showings will ultimately lead to a quicker and more successful sale.
 
Back
Top