It’s stressful enough to consider selling your home, but when the real estate market takes a nosedive, you’ll need these 10 tips to take the stress out of selling during tough real estate times.
1. Do your realtor homework. In a lousy real estate market, you want the best possible help selling your home. Take your list of questions to several real estate agents and take a good amount of time when interviewing them. Comparison shop. No one is rushing to buy houses this year, so don’t be in a hurry to choose a real estate agent.
2. Get ready. Many real estate agents agree that it takes 30 days to prepare a home before the “For Sale” signs appear, because those first impressions will often prove to be the most important factor in a “watcher” ultimately becoming a buyer. a “buyer”. Make the investment in outside repairs that can mean the difference between a quick “No” and extra time spent looking at your home. This is the time to paint, patch, and repair what buyers will see first. Buyers are more forgiving in a strong housing market, not a weak market.
3. Consult homeowners who sell successfully. What buyers find valuable can vary from region to region. Ask those in your community who have a newly posted “for sale” sign for directions on how to prepare your home for sale. What did you notice that most of the “watchers” paid attention or commented when exploring your home? Just ask: is it more important to install new carpeting or is it better to freshly paint the walls? Ask several owners of recently sold homes and take lots of notes. These can serve as your guide to using your time wisely in preparing your home for sale.
4. Actively involve your family. Let them know that there will be “company” and to help you out with their unique abilities. Let your family’s list maker make repair and “fix” lists, and keep lists of open house dates and other important information. Share the work of selling a home, and each family member will have a vested interest in your success. You’ll be able to stay more stress-free if you delegate some of the prep work to getting your home ready for sale.
5. Be flexible with personal plans. Stay focused on the goal from the moment you first put up the For Sale sign on your front lawn until your first Open House—no activity should become a distraction. Do not plan messy parties or important functions during this period, because you want your house to be tidy at all times. Organize family reunions in other places. You’ll want to be particularly vigilant when houses don’t sell easily so you don’t make mistakes.
6. Tidy up the mess. A messy house seems smaller. Rent temporary space at a local storage facility and fill it with seasonal items, extra clothing, and even extra furniture. An uncluttered home will also reduce your stress levels by simplifying the grooming process. Beat all your personal stuff in hiding. If you’re overworked and short on time, post an ad on Craigslist.org and hire a college student or an affordable cleaning service to help you out. If you can’t afford that, consider downsizing your possessions. Are they really worth cleaning, storing, and stepping on year after year?
7. Make your pets disappear. (temporarily of course) Not everyone likes dogs; Not everyone likes cats. Organize a day at a boarding facility or away from home with a family member on open houses. When the real estate market is slow, you don’t want to offer potential buyers any excuses that will make them walk away from your wonderful home.
8. Prepare your house. Do some research on “staging” your home, and if you have the financial resources, hire a professional staging service to do it for you. Swap hard lighting for soft lighting. There’s nothing like freshly baked cookies using some veteran realtors. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming. Purchase a bouquet of fresh flowers, such as inexpensive daisies, to brighten up your room.
9. Be honest. No house is perfect. Be honest about the shortcomings. The buyer will trust your honesty and will be more inclined to trust a buying decision. It’s a buyer’s market, so become a trusted seller.
10. Be realistic. The higher the price, the longer it will take to sell your home, especially in a dismal housing market with high foreclosure rates pushing down home prices. Have a frank discussion with your agent about how much you will accept below your asking price or how long it will take to find a buyer who will meet your price. Involve a handy friend or family member in this discussion.
Selling your home during a difficult housing market is not impossible. It simply requires doing your best and being fully informed.
