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Trying to sell your home is hard enough, but add in a time-frame, and it just got a little more stressful.

12 Apr

How to Sell Your Home Fast: Five Tips to Get It Done

Posted in on 12.04.11

Trying to sell your home is hard enough, but add in a time-frame, and it just got a little more stressful. With the rise of unsold homes saturating the market and foreclosures on the rise, you might be feeling a little uneasy, and are looking for all sorts of ways to sell your home fast. As a means to help you sell your home fast, here are a few tips to expedite the process:

1) Make the price something nice. Home sales are at an all-time low, and consequently prices are plunging. Chances are, you're not going to get the amount you want for the house. Price your home conservatively by looking at similar houses in your area that are also on the market. Also take note of the houses that aren't selling. Odds are, the sellers set the price too high, and that's why there is little interest in it. When interviewed by SmartMoney.com, New York City-based real estate broken Susan Singer claimed that "If you really want to stimulate a sale, you should under price your property by just a hair".

2) The inside shouldn't be something to hide. That means that you're going to need to de-clutter, tone down any flashy dcor, and really think like a buyer. What would look good to you if you were entering this home for the first time and thinking of buying it? One of the benefits of showing a home that is currently lived in, is the potential buyer gets a chance to see what the house looks like with furniture in it. They can better visualize what their stuff would look like in the space. Many high-end real estate agents employ home stagers to when they want to guarantee that you sell your home fast.

3) From the roof to the floor, get an inspector. A home that is in ship-shape will always sell better than one that requires costly repairs. So in order to better gauge where your home stands, you'll need an inspector. For one, it's always cheaper to make your own repairs rather than have a buyer drag out the negotiating process. Second, you'll avoid any last-minute hiccups that can sour a deal when the buyer brings in their own inspector and they discover you need to replace the roof.

4) Don't be a dodo--with every listing, include a photo. You're competing with dozens of other homes in your area that are also for sale, so in order to make your listing stand out, you'll need some eye-catching photos. Furthermore, you will definitely need at least one online listing fully equipped with photos. 8 4% of people start their real estate searches on the internet, so you're really missing out if you don't put an ad online.

5) Only jerks don't include perks. Throw in something extra like a home warranty plan or offer to do something small like replace the windows with energy-efficient models. If you installed a fancy plasma and surround sound, offer to throw it in with the house. Little things like this go a long way for potential buyers and can really help you sell your home fast.

Author: Mark Etinger