Many homeowners believe if they simply list their house on the market, buyers will come. But selling a home takes more planning than that. When the average house sits on the market for 70 days, you need to do everything you can to stand out from the competition.

Insiders know to sell a home fast – at top dollar – there has to be a game plan. By using some simple tips and tricks, you can set your house up as one buyers will fight for.

To save yourself the home-selling stress, let’s look at insider tips for selling fast.

Hire a Great Real Estate Agent

Having an expert in your corner, especially for first time home sellers, can pay off. When you want to sell your home fast, hire an agent who knows your neighborhood and has a proven track record of sales.

If you don’t know a good agent, ask friends and family for referrals. Or look to see who is selling other homes in your area, making sure to watch how long they stay on the market.

Don’t be afraid to interview several agents before you find one that fits your needs. Hiring a tech-savvy agent will give you extra tools to get your house sold.

Set the Right Price

Finding the balance of making a good profit on your home without turning off home buyers can be tricky. To make sure you set a selling price that will bring buyers through the door, do your homework.

Look at comparable listings in your area to see what they’re selling for. Selling your house at market value will increase interest, which could start a bidding war.

On the flip side, if you price your home too high, the listing will likely go stale. A house that sits on the market too long could bring in a low-ball offer.

Make Your House Sparkle

Buyers don’t want to walk into your house and take note of everything they’ll need to clean. The key to selling fast is deep cleaning your home. That includes wiping out the inside of all cabinets and appliances. Scrub down the baseboards then clean both the inside and outside of each window. Don’t forget about those forgotten spaces like basements and garages.  Make sure vacuum up any dirt and dust (check online to find the best vacuums).

If it’s too much work for you to do, hire a cleaning crew. It’s an investment buyers will notice. A spotless house will look like a well-kept house, which is exactly what buyers want.

Declutter and Depersonalize

Having too much “stuff” in your house will distract buyers from what matters. Instead of focusing on architectural features or a great layout, all they’ll see is furniture and clutter.

Rent a storage unit to store extra furniture. Box up knick-knacks and anything you won’t use until you move. Leave your closets half empty to make it look like there’s good storage space.

It’s also important to depersonalize your house. You want buyers to picture themselves living there, not constantly reminded they’re in someone else’s home. Store all family photos, sports trophies, and memorabilia.

Up Your Curb Appeal

You want to wow potential buyers as soon as they pull up to your house. First impressions mean everything, so don’t give them any reason to have negative thoughts before they walk through the door. To keep them wanting to see more, up your curb appeal.

Clean up your lawn and trim everything to look neat and tidy. Plant flowers to bring in pops of colors. Pressure wash walkways, porches, and decks.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of a welcoming porch. New house numbers, potted plants, a freshly painted door, and a pretty mat will give buyers the welcome they deserve.

Let in the Light

Unless they’re a vampire, you’ll never hear a buyer say, “It’s so dark in here – I love it!”. Having lots of natural light is a big factor that buyers will fall in love with.

Before a house showing, open all the curtains, window blinds, and shades. Fill dark corners with light from lamps. Strategically placing a few mirrors in a room will help bounce some of that natural light around.

Creating a bright and cheery home will help your house sell fast.

Make Small Upgrades

Most buyers don’t want to walk into a house and see several home improvement projects that will add to their costs. Getting your house in turn-key condition is important for selling fast.

Don’t go crazy with upgrades, keep it small by installing new light fixtures and giving walls a fresh coat of paint. That’s also a good time to take care of pesky repairs such as cabinet doors that don’t shut or a leaky faucet.

Kitchen and bathroom upgrades are the most sought-after features for home buyers. New faucets, cabinet hardware, even a new countertop will see a return on your investment.

Think like a Buyer

Think back to when you were house hunting, or maybe you’re house hunting now. What kind of things are you looking for? What things stick out like a sore thumb?

Forget about the personal feelings for your house and look at it from a buyer’s point of view. Make believe you’re touring the house as a buyer and see what you notice.

If it’s hard for you to take an objective look, ask a trusted friend or family member to do it for you.

Note all the positive and negative comments. Then adjust your house accordingly to make it more appealing to actual buyers.

Take Great Photos

Most home buyers start their search online. The quality of your online listing photos can make or break their opinion of your home. Show your house off right with professional photos.

Make sure you post photos of both the inside and outside of the house. Not having enough photos can make people think you’re trying to hide something, so post at least 30 pictures. If you have any special architectural features, make sure to highlight those.

Ask your real estate agent if home photos are part of their marketing strategy. If so, the price of professional photos is already included in their cost.

Look like a Home Pro by Selling Fast

There’s no need to go through the stress when you know how to sell a house. By using these selling fast tips, you’ll go from listing to closing in record time.

Now that your house is sold, looking for some moving advice? Check out the articles in our home blog!