So you have decided to sell your home in Houston.
If you’ve done this before, you know that one problem outweighs almost anything else: Sell it quickly.
Maybe you’ve heard that the first 30 days in the market are so important. (Right.) Maybe you have a new job to earn, or you really need cash, or you’re in a hurry to get out of town.
Whatever. What you want to know is, what can you do now to get and keep things moving.
Fortunately, you can do many things.
See Through Buyer’s Eye
You want potential buyers to see your home, not as it is, but because they want to see it. That means giving them a neutral canvas. Decluttered. Depersonalized.
That means giving them a neutral canvas. Decluttered, depersonalized, deodorized, if necessary, and de-critterized, meaning pets are invisible and audible to the ear.
Get knowledge
Finally, your home will be checked. So, give some serious thought to the pre-inspection inspection, conducted by an inspector who meets and complies with industry standards.
By completing it up front, you’ll know what your potential buyers might find in the end (and perhaps arm yourself to deny what their inspectors find).
Most importantly, you will be in a position to decide – in advance – whether and how you want to handle whatever needs to be done.
The price is right
You will get many suggestions on this subject. The price is high, leaving room to negotiate. Low price and direct traffic. It’s like trying to guess the direction of the stock market.
The price is high, leaving room to negotiate. Low price and direct traffic. It’s like trying to guess the direction of the stock market.
Best advice: Price is enough. Do not start with what you want or need to do. Start with a
Start by looking at the market. Is that a buyer’s or a seller’s market?
See what competitors are selling. Consider the type of improvement you want (or need) to create.
Then the price is appropriate.
Invest Wisely
Most likely you have to spend some money for this. Be smart about it.
Some upgrades may be inevitable. Inspection will help you know which one. So is your effort to see your home through the eyes of the buyer.
And a good agent might have some clear opinions.
Whatever you do, do not upgrade too much. You may not see the return.
On the other hand, take the time and spend money to take care of the little things you can manage.
Clean the grout. Fix the dripping faucet. Paint dirty or dirty.
Fix damaged wall or pet visible. Replace the burning bulb.
Shopping Agent
This is another area where you will get lots of advice. And the prospect of keeping the commission for yourself is undoubtedly tempted.
Reject.
A good, well-informed agent gets the commission by taking care of things you can not do, or do not know how, or do not want them organized.
They know the market, the competition, the school and the neighborhood.
They take the right amount and type of photos and know how to use them in an effective marketing campaign.
They handle negotiations and provide information advice on things like performances.
Remember That First Impressions Last
This is called “curb appeal” because that’s what potential buyers will see before they even see the inside of the house. And that will shape their expectations.
That does not mean you have to pay landscape architects. But that means mowing the grass, weeding and trimming hedges, maybe even planting a flower or two.
Stay Flexible
Not just about price, but also all: scheduling open houses and appointments, discussing the future, setting vacancies and dwelling dates.
Remember that this is a negotiation, not a zero-sum game. In the best of results, everyone gets some – hopefully most – of what they want.
And when you really need to sell quickly, be sure to check out my Houston fast home sale for a solution with the potential to save a lot of time, effort and aggravation.