5 Steps to a Quicker Home Sale

In a hurry to sell your home? Here’s how to make sure you give yourself the opportunity to snag the best price in shortest amount of time.

1. You have to seriously undercut the competition – Selling a home in a down market almost inevitably means settling for a disappointing price. But to unload your home fast, you’re going to have to dip 10% to 15% below what comparable homes in your neighborhood recently sold for. You still may not be able to compete with foreclosures and short sales, but at least you stand a chance of getting buyers to notice your listing.

2. Outside fixes have the biggest impact – Since your house won’t be cheaper than the distressed property down the street, it has to look much better. But you may not have the time or money to redo the kitchen, so focus on cosmetic improvements that will bring the most buyers to your door.

Spending $1000.00 can go a long way toward improving your home’s exterior. Get the outside of your house power-washed, paint the door, replace the knocker and kick plate, and hire a gardener to give your yard some TLC and add some coloring flowers.

3. First-timers are your friend – The most efficient way to market your home is to target the most likely buyers. First-timers bought over half the homes purchased so far this year, thanks to a new federal tax credit and the flexibility to buy without the burden of selling another property (super-low mortgage rates don’t hurt either).

The average age of the first time home buyer is 30, and to boost your chances of reaching today’s buyers, you need to think outside of the traditional box. get yourself a snazzy online presence and spread the word about your next open house through social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

4. Online tricks will make your home pop – Buyers are faced with thousands of listings. Help them find yours by peppering your description with amenity keywords like “deck,” “pool,” and “granite counters,” then make sure they like what they see by using a wide-angle lens to make your rooms look bigger in pictures. Set your home at the lowest end of its price range.

5. Your secret weapon is a speedy deal – It can take months for banks to approve a deal for a short sale or a foreclosed property. Make sure your agent lets potential buyers know you can close the deal within a few weeks.

Another advantage you hold over distressed sellers: the ability to be creative in negotiations. If a potential buyer is wavering, offer to pay part or all of the closing costs or cover a year’s worth of association fees. At the very least, consider throwing in some new appliances or a paint job. After all, in this market no one is going to want a home that doesn’t seem like a bargain.