The extreme seller’s market of last year is over and homes are sitting on the market much longer now. It might be necessary to change up your strategy if you want to get your home sold, especially now that the market is slowing down. Here are three selling techniques that are necessary for today’s real estate market.
Make Upgrades
Unfortunately for many sellers, prospective home buyers have become quite finicky. Buyers know what they want and generally won’t even think twice about buying a home without upgrades. To compete, it is usually necessary to make some important updates to your home. The most impactful upgrades you can make are in the kitchen and bathrooms. Today’s home buyers want updated cabinetry, modern fixtures, granite or quartz countertops, and smart appliances. Worn and dated flooring should also be replaced. And it never hurts to splash a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
Create an Online Listing
Gone are the days when a for sale by owner sign in the front yard is enough to get your house sold. Today, real estate is becoming more and more of an online business. In fact, more home sales these days are conducted entirely online. This is possible thanks to real estate websites such as Zillow, Realtor, and Trulia. Many listings even include a virtual tour, which allows prospective buyers to see the interior of the house as if they were actually there.
Stage Your House
Sometimes people forget how important staging is when it comes to selling their house. They think that they can list it online and the people will flock in. What these people are forgetting is the human element of real estate. People want to be able to picture themselves living in your home. There are a few things you can do to help that occur.
First, make sure your paint colors are neutral. Second, depersonalize your home by taking down photographs and art that are highly specific to you–especially if they are controversial. Third, cut down on the clutter. Your home will look larger and more appealing without clutter. Fourth, clean! No one likes the idea of living in other people’s grime. Finally, allow natural lighting to shine throughout your home. Open blinds and curtains to dispel the gloom that strangers might feel in a dimly lit house.
Selling your home isn’t rocket science but it does involve some effort on your part. You should have no trouble finding an interested buyer if you make upgrades, create an online listing, and properly stage your house. And remember, you don’t have to go it alone. A skilled realtor can help you out every step of the way.
Check out this article on what to figure out before putting your home on the market!