Okay. So you have finally decided to list your house with the intent of selling as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it seems as though everyone else on the block has decided to list theirs, as well. To make matters even more frustrating, these houses are selling and yours isn’t. This begs a common question: ‘why is it that some houses sell quickly while others sit month after month?’ The answers aren’t always easily derived, but there are a few simple, but important steps that can get that needed foot traffic flowing in the right direction.
Start by comparing the home exteriors in your neighborhood. Does one have a well manicured yard, fresh paint and clean gutters, while the other has dead grass, weeds and broken shingles? If there are several houses to choose from within a few blocks of each other, chances are buyers will want to drive right by the neglected house. You want to make sure the curb appeal of your home stacks up against all the rest. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the home’s exterior, but by simply trimming your hedges, using touch up paint, and placing sod in bare areas, you are well on your way to making your home exterior much more appealing.
Also, visit the inside of all the homes on the market. Take advantage of open houses, and see how your home compares, or even go online to view pictures of the house. It is extremely advantageous to know who your competition is. Are your neighbors using their dining room as a dining room, but yours is a playroom? Are their wall colors neutral, while your colors resemble those of a rainbow? Not only will their house show better in pictures, it will also be much more appealing when someone is comparing your house versus the neighbors. Once someone finds a locale that they would like to move to, they are going to shop around. By making sure your house stands above the rest, you can get that quick offer that makes the rest of the neighbors envious.
Good luck to you!
April 2010 (9.2 MB)