We might currently be in a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want your home to sell for the best possible price – as quickly as possible. The first step in selling your home is to attract home buyers which are qualified. Having the right people interested in your property will make the entire process easier and less stressful for everyone.
So, how can you capture the attention of qualified buyers? What can you do aside from putting a “for sale” sign in your yard and hoping the right person or family comes along?
You might be surprised by the tips you can use to attract buyers for a successful sale. By putting some of these suggestions into practice, your home will likely fly off the market faster, and you’ll be more likely to get your asking price – or higher!
1. Boost the Way It Looks Online
American Country farm luxury house with porch and beautiful flowers.
Did you know that 90% of homebuyers look online when they start their buying process? It’s the first thing most people do when they’re even considering purchasing a new home. Having your house listed online is a great way to get it noticed quickly and by every target audience. It also makes it easy to share your listing on social media and attract even more people.
However, it’s important to make your listing stand out. One of the best ways to do that is by optimizing your photos. While it’s easy to snap quality pictures with an iPhone nowadays, hiring a professional home photographer might be a worthwhile investment. If you can’t afford it or don’t want to make that investment, consider making the most of your home interior through staging and design work. Some of the best tips that will make your photos look great include:
- Using natural lighting
- Updating the finishes throughout your home
- Focusing on statement pieces
- Sticking to a specific style or theme
Take a look at other homes on the market and how they’re staged, or what their pictures look like. You can gain inspiration from homes that are selling quickly, and also learn a lot about what to avoid!
2. Keep Things Clean
With any luck, you’ll start getting potential buyers to visit your home quickly. You might even host an open house so a lot of people can explore the property at once.
While your real estate agent should always let you know when someone is coming by to look at the house, it can often be a last-minute situation where you don’t have much notice. So, it’s important to keep things clean and de-cluttered at all times.
Remember, people want to be able to see themselves living there. It’s okay to have your belongings out, and it’s okay that the home still looks like yours. However, a buyer doesn’t want to be surprised by things like:
- Dust
- Mold
- Mildew
Whether you’re currently living in the home or not, stop by regularly to keep things clean and take preventative measures against things like mold and mildew, and make your home as attractive as possible to those looking in every corner.
3. Make Things “Homey” and Warm
Internet photos of your nicely staged home will attract home buyers.
Home staging only goes so far. You can have great-looking pictures online and a description that attracts a lot of buyers. However, if they step into your home and it feels uninviting, they’re going to have second thoughts.
One of the easiest ways to add a touch of comfort to your home is to make it warm. If you’re selling in summer, open the curtains or blinds to let the sun naturally warm things up. If you’re selling in winter, turn the furnace on about an hour before the potential buyers are expected to arrive. A little warmth will add a sense of security and comfort, and speak to a buyer’s emotions in a positive way.
You can also go the extra mile by offering things like cookies, coffee, or tea when buyers are supposed to stop by. A few “homey” touches can go a long way in how attached an interested party will become!
4. Use Curb Appeal To Attract Home Buyers
Your home’s exterior is the first thing people will notice when they come for a showing. Curb appeal isn’t strictly meant to boost the asking price of your listing. It can also help potential buyers see themselves pulling up to the house each evening and feeling a sense of comfort.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to improve curb appeal. Try some of the following ideas:
- Paint your home exterior a bold color
- Replace the roof or shingles
- Invest in a quality fence
- Replace the front door
- Manage your landscaping
Think of curb appeal as your home’s first impression. The more you put into it, the better it will be.
There’s no reason you can’t have a successful home sale quickly in today’s market. Try some of these tips when you’re ready to list, and you’ll attract qualified buyers who are ready to make a solid offer.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
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Happy Hiller
Thanks for the ideas! By the way, lighting can also add to your home’s curb appeal. A well-placed landscape lighting can emphasize the home’s best features. And if you’re considering selling your house, keep in mind that a well-lit home is more attractive to potential buyers, making any lighting addition both practical and financially responsible. According to the “Most wanted things” list, 41% of people said that proper exterior lighting is a must-have, and 49% said it is desirable.
DSP
Hey! Great suggestions! Also, consider adding a water feature. No matter which one you choose, water features can enrich your exterior and make it feels upscale. For example, installing a swimming pool can make your home feel more like a resort and boost your home’s value by 8-10%.
SentriForce
Good suggestions! Preparing your house for sale, also remember about home security. Robberies and thefts occur more and more often, and a sense of security is what people are looking for when buying a house. A security system including solid door locks, an alarm system, and security cameras will add value to your home.
Polestar
Good suggestion! Also, remember that energy-efficient homes tend to sell for a higher price than similar, less efficient properties. To improve your home’s energy efficiency, consider upgrading your HVAC system. Pay attention to air conditioners with a SEER rating and furnaces rated by the AFUE ratio. In both cases, the higher the rating, the lower the energy consumption.
If your system is pretty new and works properly, just keep it clean and well-maintained.
ESCO
That’s a valuable addition! However, investing in the high-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems doesn’t always help you save energy. The effectiveness and efficiency of these systems may be highly compromised without proper insulation. Insufficient insulation can cause your HVAC system to work harder and thus generate higher energy costs.
Gervais Mechanical
When upgrading your HVAC system, remember to check new HVAC regulations 2023. These changes are legally effective from January 1 this year.
Portella
Improving the level of energy efficiency in a home can be another important way to add value to a home and attract buyers. Financially, improved energy efficiency will save you and any future residents money on energy bills, and can help you qualify for a variety of tax breaks. Plus, saving energy is important to many people who are socially conscious.
There are a lot of ways to make homes more energy efficient, including smart technology, energy-efficient windows and doors, and more.