How To Sell A Home Fast

There are many reasons why homeowners opt to sell their properties. Some may need to relocate due to a change in employment or a desire to live closer to relatives. Others may yearn to downsize or just get a fresh start somewhere else.

These and other life changes may necessitate a fast turnaround. Each sale can vary, but if you’re in a good market, your home may take a few weeks or months at the most to sell. Of course, your circumstances could cause you to try and sell your home quicker than usual.

Selling a home in Georgia isn’t always easy. You might not always be able to make as much profit as you want. Economic upswings and downturns can directly affect the sale price and other aspects of the transaction. There could also be delays and other problems that will require your immediate attention. Keeping an open mind, staying focused and having a plan set in place can help you accomplish your goal.

Here are a few steps that you can take if you want to sell your home fast:

1. Take care of any simple renovations, upgrades or repairs. If you’ve got a leaky pipe, stuck window, loose tile or other relatively simple repairs, replacements or other changes, now is the perfect time to tackle those tasks. Block off time on your calendar and make a list of all the items that you’ll need to finish each job.

It will feel good to finally cross those items off of your “to-do” list. They can also add resale value to your home instantly. Most buyers don’t want to have to fix things as soon as they move in. If there are considerable concerns, such as foundation issues, that are revealed in the inspection, you can discuss them with the buyer. You could pay for those things, the seller could pay for them or both parties could split the costs evenly.

2. Clean your house thoroughly. Many homeowners decide to thoroughly clean their home from top to bottom once they’ve decided to sell. Leave nothing unturned. Remember how important it is to make a good first impression!

Any items that you don’t want to take with you when you move can be discarded, sold or donated to your favorite charity. Furniture can be moved so that it’s easier to move around each room. Family photos and other sensitive possessions should be kept out of view and access from guests. Door handles, cabinet knobs, kitchen counters, floors and other heavily used and trafficked areas can be wiped down before and after each visit.

3. Work with a realtor. You could list your property for sale by the owner. However, this means that you’ll be doing all of the legwork by yourself. That’s why it’s a good idea to enlist the services of an experienced real estate agent.

You can research local realtors and interview a few of them if you’d like. Sit down with them and discuss your intentions. The agent that you choose to work with should have your best interests at heart. They should also work with you to create a comprehensive plan to help get your home sold quickly.

4. Develop an appealing listing. Your listing is important. It should be something that will generate interest right away. Give people every reason to consider your home over other similar residences in your city or neighborhood.

You may want to read a few listings first just so you have a good idea of what buyers look for. Then you can craft a unique listing that targets those individuals or couples. You don’t have a lot of space, so include the essentials. Interested parties can always contact you or your agent if they want to learn more.

5. Establish a reasonable asking price. The selling price is another essential component. How much you ask for your house will depend on multiple factors. Current economic trends and market conditions can be some of the greatest influences on your sale price.

You have to set an asking price that the market will bear. A price that’s too high could cause your house to sit unsold on the market for longer than anticipated. On the other hand, a price that’s too low may cause you to start reviewing offers before you’re ready. The price should also be at or near the property’s fair market value.

6. Stage your home. Your home should also be staged so that people can see what makes your residence unique. You can stage your home yourself or you can hire professional stagers to do the job for you. Professional-looking video, photos and text descriptions can make your property stand out.

It doesn’t take much to stage a house. Furniture should be clean and orderly. Blinds and windows can be opened to let in more natural light. Walkways and paths can be cleared and bushes and hedges should be trimmed. Dirt, spider webs and debris can be swept away from driveways and doorways. Worn-out light bulbs and switches should be replaced.

7. Accommodate interested parties’ requests for showings. After your listing has gone live, it shouldn’t be very long until the first open house showings are scheduled. Your realtor should work around your schedule and the schedules of possible buyers to ensure that you’re not present at those times. You should be given enough advance notice so that you can vacate the premises and do something just for fun if you want.

There may be a few last minute requests for showings. An interested party may ask for a private showing. These situations don’t happen very often, but there are ways in which they can work. You can leave a key in a lock box for those clients and their realtor while you go out to run errands or visit a neighbor or relative. If the person makes a great offer as a result, the extra effort will be well worth it.

Talk to your realtor if you have questions about the process. They should be able to point you in the right direction and even assist you with a timeline if you want. If everything goes well, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. The last step is closing. Then, all final paperwork will be signed and filed. The buyer will be given the keys to your former house and you’ll be paid for the net proceeds from the sale. You can do whatever you want with those funds. They could be put towards acquiring another home or other big-ticket item or just saved for later. You can breathe easy, knowing that chapter can finally be closed. It’s time to look ahead to whatever life throws your way next in another location.