How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar in Less Time

Imagine this—your property went “Active” in the MLS last night. It’s 4:30 pm on the first full day on-market, and you’re sitting at your dining room table with your REALTOR® who has just set two signed offers in front of you—one set to close in a month, the other for over asking price! It’s the dream of every home seller, but it doesn't have to be a pipe dream. You can set yourself up for selling success by bearing in mind the following several key factors:

Fixing Everything Minimizes Inspection Repairs

It’s important to know, entering into the process of selling your home, that inspections are actually leverage for a buyer to renegotiate upon receipt of the results. You should be prepared for a home inspection to cast a light on any issues you neglected. During renegotiations, you’ll have to decide whether a price reduction is an order, you’re willing to make further repairs, or you’re sticking to your guns and refusing to budge on either the price or the repairs. All this is to say that you don’t want to risk your deal falling apart due to something you could have easily fixed beforehand. Talk with your real estate agent about specific cosmetic, structural, and other repairs they think would have the highest return on investment in your specific situation, depending on the property’s location and features.

Speaking of which...The Right REALTOR®

Firstly, let’s validate the fact that, even though they can be pricey, real estate agents are worth it. Especially if you are focused on both the financial and timeliness aspects of your home sale, REALTORS® are essential. The reasons for their importance aren’t limited to their access to the Multiple Listing Service, knowledgeable handling of complicated legal documents, and marketing tools and expertise – but those don’t hurt. The best REALTORS® will know how to give your property the most exposure with a strategic marketing plan which focuses on great pictures, virtual tours, open houses, and, ideally, an influential social media presence. All of these tools are indispensable if you want to sell quickly and for top dollar.

Keep it “Show-Ready”

Either you’ve already moved out of the property you’re trying to sell, have rented a storage unit, or are living in it. Either way, the house must be ready to show at all times. There can’t be dishes in the sink or clothes on the bathroom floor. God forbid the LEGOs® were left out just before a last-minute showing! Your REALTOR® can include a showing notice requirement with your listing. That means you’ll be able to dictate whether someone needs to give you a days notice, two hours notice, or no notice at all before touring your property. It’s nice to have options; just make sure you’re following your end of the bargain by being out of the house before the potential buyers arrive with their agent. Also, bear in mind that buyers can be finicky. Every additional day or even an hour that qualified buyers are waiting to tour your property, they’re filling with tours of other homes that might suit their needs just as well! So, it’s all about weighing your priorities in light of how quickly you want to sell the property.

Professional Staging

For a buyer to make an offer on your property after their tour, they must have been able to envision themselves living there. If they send over an offer, they’ll have already considered their plans for the property and things like whether or not their sectional sofa will fit in the living room. That stumbles upon two of the primary benefits of having your home professionally staged before listing. Doing so de-personalizes things, allowing buyers to imagine creating a life of their own in the space. And, pragmatically, it also gives them an idea of how their furniture might fit and be harmoniously arranged. Plus, having a professional team (especially, one current in local interior design trends) stage your property gives your REALTOR® or professional photographer plenty of eye candy to work with when taking pictures for the listing!

There are tons of reasons you might be selling your property. It might’ve been bequeathed to you. You might be upsizing or downsizing. But, whatever your reason for selling, if your intention is to do it for the maximum amount of money and in the shortest time frame, we can help! Your local NE Ohio interior design experts, VNTG Place specializes in several key areas: staging, home restoration, consignment, donation, home liquidation, and cleanout. Reach out on our website or by calling (216) 685-7555 for more information on how we can help you maximize the profit potential of your home in the shortest amount of time.