The past few years have seen a buying frenzy in home buying, pushing up prices to unprecedented levels. However, rising mortgage rates have seen a cooling down of prices in recent times. Hence, if you now enter the market and need to “sell my home,” you have to compromise on the sale price and reset your expectations.
Consequently, a homemade solution like putting up a “for sale” sign in the yard and waiting for buyers will not do. You need professionals like our experts at Just Livin Realty to handhold you through the selling process if you want to get the best price for your property.
Fortunately, we’ve developed a listing strategy that combines our proven approach to preparation, pricing, and promotion—all designed to help you get top dollar for your home. But you will play an important role in the selling process, as well.
Here are some crucial steps you can take to set yourself up for success as a home seller in this market: please enjoy the video and then continue reading.
- Make Strategic Repairs and Improvements
When you need to sell my house fast in Denver, you should consider buyers’ preferences and set up your house accordingly. Most want a house that they can move in quickly and settle down without having to go through fixes or repairs. According to the National Association of Realtors, only 6% of today’s buyers report that they are looking for a DIY fixer-upper. Hence, the quickest way to sell a house is to evaluate its condition, identify any problems that might prevent it from selling, and fix them.
If you need help selling my home, our experts will be with you all the way before it is listed in the market. For example, we’ll conduct a thorough walk-through to identify any problems that could prevent it from selling. In some cases, we may recommend a professional pre-listing inspection. Finding and addressing issues like leaks, rot, and foundation problems up front can pay off in the final sale price.
Getting things done before a home inspection raises red flags is a sure-shot way to succeed if you need to sell my house fast in Denver. It is not only about major upgrades, even a new paint job with the right colors can look appealing to buyers, making them come to a quick decision to buy.
2. Declutter and Depersonalize
If you look at your home from a buyer’s perspective, what would you want? You would like to visualize yourself living in the house the moment you walk in through the door. But that can be very difficult if your house is chock-full of your family photos, children’s artwork, and souvenir collections. Plus, cluttered homes look smaller, and older items can make them feel dated.
The quickest way to sell a house is to declutter it before you put it up for sale. In any case, you have to move all your belongings once the sale is finalized. So, why not do it now to maximize the sale price? Shred, digitize, or organize old documents, donate old clothes, or move bulky furniture into storage. Remove personal photos and other trinkets to create a blank slate that viewers can imagine decorating with their prized possessions.
Need help selling my home? We’d be happy to make recommendations or refer you to a local service provider who can help.
3. Stage Your Home for Success
The process of making your home look its best and appeal to potential buyers is called staging, and it can be a game changer. According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, an average-priced staged home sells 5 to 11 times faster than its un-staged counterpart. Even better, most staged homes sell for 4% to 20% over the list price!
Some sellers hire a professional stager, who may bring in furniture and decor to increase the home’s appeal. Others choose to stage their homes themselves. We can help advise you on which route to choose and how much to invest in the process.
Small things matter a lot in staging. Consider what other buyers in your neighborhood have focused on and stage your home accordingly. For example, in neighborhoods where a large share of residents work from home, it may be effective to stage one room as an office space so potential buyers can envision their day-to-day routine.
4. Prep for Each Showing
Do not show your home to a potential buyer in the middle of going through your daily routine. Nobody lives a picture-perfect life day in and day out and if your home is messy when a buyer walks in, it is a missed opportunity to sell your home at the best possible price. It is important to be ready for viewers at short notice when your home is on the market.
We always advise those who need help in selling my house to hire professionals to clean out the house once, even in all nooks and crannies. After that, regularly maintain your house by spending a few minutes a day wiping down counters, sweeping the floors, and vacuuming. Most buyers will open cabinets, drawers, and closets so try to make sure everything is as neat and organized as possible.
5. Price Your Home Correctly From the Start
The past few years have seen a spike in home values and some homes in your neighborhood may have sold for huge amounts. However, do not keep your expectations high and follow a similar path if you do not want your home to sit on the market for months. Be realistic from the beginning and get the price right. Putting a hefty price can put you out of the race as buyers will begin to wonder why the house is not being sold. On the other hand. Too low a price will cut into your potential profit margin.
So, how do you get it right when you sell my home in Denver? Work with an experienced real estate agent like Just Livin Realty who understands the local market and trends and can guide you suitably about the right price for your home and what buyers are willing to pay.
On the positive side, homeowners’ equity is at an all-time high now. If you have owned the house for several years now, the price must have appreciated considerably and you can walk away with a handsome profit.
6. Avoid Acting on Emotions
Do not act on emotions and take things personally when want to sell my home. While the last few years have seen real estate prices touching all-time highs, it is not so now. If that is your benchmark, it is natural to be emotionally hurt if you get offers that are lower than what you think is the worth of your home.
Market conditions might have been high and you might have looked forward to setting high prices as the quickest way to sell a house. But now, things are settling down and homeowners must now act rationally instead of emotionally to maximize the price of a house.
The good part is that in any real estate deal, everything is negotiable. From countering low offers to meeting requests for repairs and contingencies, talk it over with the buyer. The main point is to be flexible and open-minded in the negotiations. You can rest assured knowing that we’ll be by your side every step of the way to help you navigate the process and negotiate a great deal.
7. Work With a Local Market Expert
There are several benefits of working with a real estate agent who knows the local market trends like the back of the hand. By knowing the dynamics of the local market, the realtor can help sell my home at a good price. Through our experience, we’ve gathered insights that can help us position your home for success in this market. Plus, we have the resources to connect with qualified buyers searching for a home like yours.
Additionally, we have extensive data about house sales in the neighborhood and know what price to set for your property which is not only the quickest way to sell a house but also at the most maximized price.
That’s one reason why homes sold by agents draw much higher prices than those sold by their owners alone. While for-sale-by-owner homes went for a median price of $260,000 in 2020, the median for homes sold by agents was $318,000. That’s a difference of $58,000—and money you don’t want to leave on the table.
YOUR AGENT AND ADVOCATE
Selling a home in a fast-changing market can be stressful. You’re likely to hear conflicting advice and opinions from people in your life, and decisions like what color to paint your front door or how much to list your home for can be overwhelming.
That’s where we come in. The market may be adjusting, but it’s still highly advantageous for sellers—and we’re here to help you make the most of it. We’re listing experts in our area, and we know what steps you need to take for a smooth, profitable transaction.
If you’re considering buying or selling a home, we invite you to reach out to schedule a free consultation. We’re happy to talk through your specific situation and goals and help you identify your next steps.
The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.
Sources: