Peak summer real estate season may be over, but there’s still plenty of demand on the Southern California market for a speedy sale any time of the year. If you want to attract buyers, then you know the basics are creating an excellent first impression so that your home sells itself.
Here’s how to grab buyers’ attention to have them rolling in and writing offers in no time.
Use Curb Appeal
Few people will pay any attention to a house that looks like a fixer-upper. But buyers will fall hook, line, and sinker for a new paint job and a well manicured lawn. Adding to the curb appeal of your home could mean anything from hiring the professionals at Shank Door to replace the garage door to trimming the hedge, or replacing the mailbox.
As a customer walks up the driveway to the front door, they start deciding whether they will take a look and leave or stay, see the house and make an offer. An outdoor makeover or a simple clean up can tip them in favor of making that offer.
Staging Is Everything
Avoid a bait and switch and bring the attention to detail from your curb, inside. Every Team agent subscribes to The NEW Rules of Real Estate®, rule three: Put your home on stage. Nearly 100% of REALTORS® agree that that buyers are positively influenced by staging which is why it’s proven to increase your home’s value by up to 15%.
Staging will mean different things at different points of the sale. When making the advertisement, it means adding as many clear and attractive photos of the home as possible. When scheduling showings or open houses, it means clearing out unnecessary furniture and clutter, adding a few design touches, and neutralizing unpleasant odors.
Set The Price Right
Catch buyers’ attention right out the gate with the right price. Determining the correct price point will not only help your home sell faster, it will save you the trouble of making endless price adjustments. In fact, 43% of sellers end up reducing their asking price at least once and sell for less.
Rule number four of our NEW Rules of Real Estate® explains how we use our Market Trends tool to determine the right price for you on the first try. If your price is too high, buyers may think you’re either not serious or are unwilling to negotiate.
Clean, Remove Clutter And Depersonalize
You’ve lured your buyers in with a great price and good curb appeal. And it’s a clean and depersonalized home that will seal the deal. If the place is messy and full of clutter everywhere, the positive image you’ve worked so hard to create will be shattered. Don’t forget to remove personal items such as family photos as these can make the buyer fail to connect with the house. It is important for a buyer to be able to imagine themselves in your home, which can be hard with your gallery wall of personal photos and handmade art on the fridge.
By taking your time to really spruce up your house, you can make the selling process go by quickly and smoothly. For more on The NEW Rules of Estate® and other effective strategies for selling your home, talk to a First Team real estate professional.
