How to Market Your Home to Sell Fast

Houses priced right sell quickly.

Homeowners sometimes want--or need--to sell their home in a hurry due to a job relocation, illness, divorce or other change in personal circumstances. The challenge is that a fast sale typically translates into a lower price, since the home doesn't receive as much exposure to prospective buyers who might be willing to pay more. Home buyers focus on three factors: price, location and condition. Since you can't change the location, you'll have to offer an attractive price and good condition to sell in a hurry.

Things You'll Need

• Names and contact information for local real estate agents
• Recent sales prices of similar homes in the area
• Names and contact information for home stagers
• Housecleaning supplies
• Home repair tools and materials
• Packing boxes and tape

Instructions

Price and Condition Speed Up Sales

1. Put the house on the market at an attractive price. The best way to sell a house quickly is to market the house at an asking price that's lower than other similar houses for sale in the area. That's not what most sellers want to hear, but it's nonetheless true. Hire a real estate agent who is familiar with the area and knows what price will attract buyers to see the home. Ask about the sales prices of other homes that sold recently in the area. (These are called "comparables" or "comps.") Prices of other homes will determine how much buyers will be willing to pay for your home. The more attractive the price is, the more likely the home will sell in a hurry.

2. Make necessary repairs to the house. Home buyers--and inspectors who are hired by buyers--have very sharp eyes for house defects. Go through the house and make a list of all the repairs that need to be done and that can be done in a hurry so as not to delay the sale. Look for cracked windowpanes, leaky faucets, carpet stains and so on. Hire a handyman to come in and make the repairs that you can't make yourself. The better the condition the home is in, the faster it will sell. Marketing a home as "move-in condition" is a good way to attract buyers.

3. Clear out all of the clutter in the house. Buyers won't purchase a home they can't see. If there is clutter everywhere and the closets are packed, buyers will walk out. Getting rid of clutter creates the impression that the home is spacious and well cared for. If you have a little extra money, hire a home stager to come into the home and help you decide what to clear out and what to keep. Don't overdo it! The home should be welcoming, super clean and organized--not empty. An important objective is to make the home look great in pictures as well. The more buyers can see themselves living happily in the home, the faster they'll jump to buy it.

References

• Bankrate: 8 Hints to Help Sell Your Home Fast