Are you wondering, “how can I sell my house fast for market value?”
Selling your house can be a stressful, long, and drawn-out process. So when you need to sell your house quickly, without compromising on price, it can be a daunting prospect.
No need to worry! We’re here to help you.
Don’t go the for sale by owner (FSBO) route
To avoid fees and commission, some people opt to sell their property themselves. This starts with deciding the value of your property. Or you can hire in an appraiser to work out the value for you.
This can be a very stressful option, especially if you’re inexperienced in real estate. If you’re looking for a quick sale, you’re likely to make mistakes that will cost you in the end.
This time pressure could force you into accepting an offer well below market value. Or you could end up in serious negotiations where the buyer’s agent steamrolls. Either way, you end up not getting what your property is worth.
It’s also a time-consuming process that will need the attention of a full-time job. Most FSBO properties remain on the market for months. This is because the sellers don’t have the knowledge, time, or resources to do proper marketing.
Pick an experienced real estate agent
If you want to get the full market value of your home, it’s worth considering an experienced agent. And go local, as they will be familiar with your local market.
They will advertise your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing System) to get it out to as many eyes as they can. They’ll also have contacts who might have clients looking for what you’re offering.
They can list the property online too, to further broaden the marketing strategy. When it comes to pricing, your agent can help you set an appropriate listing price.
They’ll have local market analysis and experience to set a realistic, fair price. Through marketing and negotiation, they’ll get you a sale at market price, or even higher.
Bear in mind, you may need to sign a listing agreement. This will state that the agent is the sole representative for you in your home sale. You can use more than one agent.
They’ll also charge a fee (or commission) usually around 5.8% of the sale price.
When you’re on a tight sale deadline though, it can be a worry. It’s hard to make sure a real estate agent is on the same page and works at the right pace. This means you should take the time to pick the right agent, not go with the first name you see.
In that situation, you’d need an agent who has a track record of selling properties like your own. And doing it fast. These niche local agents will know how target buyers work, what they want and it will save time on making a sale.
Spruce up your home for a quick sale
The more “move-in-ready” your home is, the more likely you are to have a quick sale. But you need to weigh up the time it takes to make these changes and have priorities.
1. Fix the little things
The longer you’ve been in your home, the easier it gets to overlook the minor issues. Fixing the little repairs is one of the smartest and cheapest things you can do to give your home more appeal.
Things like that wobbly toilet handle, or that doorknob that needs screwing back in. A lot of these jobs get added to the “to-do list” but over time get forgotten. Now is the time to address them.
These little details may have become “features” for you, but buyers will notice them right away. The more polished your home can be, the more appealing it will be to buyers. Otherwise, they might think if there are small repairs like this, what major repairs are there?
Walk around each room and write down what needs fixing. Try to think from the perspective of the buyer. The more things you can tick off that list, the better.
2. Boost your curb appeal
The first thing buyers will see is the outside of your home. This first impression must be a good one, as it’ll inform their opinion for the rest of the viewing.
Remove clutter from the outside of your home like toys or gardening tools. Give your exterior a repaint, add planting like hanging baskets or some planters. Make sure your landscaping is as good as it can be. This should be your priority list.
All these things will go a long way to increasing your home value and the likelihood you’ll get the price you want. You don’t need to go overboard and do a complete makeover.
Pulling weeds, trimming bushes and trees, and adding flowers with proper mulch will do. And make sure your grass is green, healthy, and cut. You want to wow your buyers before they even step through the door.
3. Freshen up your paintwork
Remember, your tastes likely won’t appeal to others. Buyers are looking for properties they can move into and put their stamp on, so give them that blank canvas.
Repaint any bright or out-of-style colors in warm, inviting neutral shades. Creams, whites, greys, and beiges are good options for this. It’ll amaze you what a transformation a new lick of neutral paint can do.
Light and neutral shades will brighten up your space and make them look larger. This paint job alone could tack thousands onto your property’s value.
If you can’t do your whole home, focus on the main areas. You should concentrate on the kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom, and living room.
4. Add cozy touches…
…but keep it depersonalized.
Buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in your property. So you should make sure to remove any personal items and declutter as much as you can.
But you can add cozy, extra touches to encourage buyers to work out how they could use the space you’re offering. You might have a small front porch, add in some planters with herbs and flowers and you have a cozy little space to offer.
Or place some books and cushions, with a throw onto a window bench that’s been bare and unused. Your buyers might see themselves curled up there with their very own reading nook.
The little touches go a long way to encourage buyers to view themselves in your home. But that’s the key. You want to keep it a neutral blank canvas, so buyers picture their new lives, not your current one.
5. Stage your home
You can go a step further in guiding how buyers see your home. You can present it in the best possible way to give the best impression.
To stage your home, you’ll need a professional stager or interior decorator. They will use your current décor and furnishings, or they will select items to present in your home. These will be attractive but remain uncluttered and neutral.
Think about that showroom feel, when you walk in and it’s like you could move in right away. That’s the feeling staging your home is going for. Buyers will have all they need to picture their own lives fitting into your property.
Contact iBuyers
The truth is, whether you’re going it alone or using an agent, selling your home is stressful. It’ll be time-consuming, and your life will have to bend and git around the process for a while. But it doesn’t have to be.
One of the newest and biggest players on the scene is the data-driven, tech-focused iBuyer companies. It’s short for “instant buyer” and it will make you an instant offer.
Looking for cash offers on your home? You’ve come to the right place!
They use automated value models (AVMs) based on the data you give. It uses this information to make a competitive offer on your residential property. Usually, it’ll offer on homes that are good condition or better.
You’ll be saved the entire hassle of selling your home. You don’t need to scramble to find an agent, do checks, stage, hold open houses. In fact, you can skip the long, drawn-out traditional process altogether. You can exchange in a matter of days after accepting an offer. iBuyers will offer up to 98% of fair market value too, so you’re not getting short-changed.
Sell my house fast for market value? No problem!
Next time you ask yourself “how can I sell my house fast for market value?”, you’ll know the answer. When selling your house through traditional methods, you are never entirely in control over how quickly you make the sale. But by following our guide, you can make the process as quick as possible.
If you want to sell your house quickly for a fair price, get an iValuation at iBuyer. There is no need to waste time with appraisers or agents, you can check your home value online in seconds.
