How You Can Sell Your Home Quickly in Today’s Real Estate Market
Even though inventory is high and you are competing against many other homes, there are steps you can take to make your property stand out from the others. And in the crowded real estate market of our Daytona Beach area, you definitely need to do everything you can to make buyers remember your house. Follow these steps to prepare your home to sell:
1. Get a Pre-Inspection
Almost every buyer will get a Homeowner’s Inspection during the contract period. But you can identify possible problems and be ready with answers if you get a pre-inspection before going on the market. The cost is between $180-400 in the Daytona Beach area, and the information will prepare you for buyer questions and requests for repairs.
You may choose to make repairs before listing your property, or sell “As Is.” But it is always best to be proactive with buyers. Have a plan and decide ahead of time what you will fix and what you won’t.
Even if the inspection highlights negatives about your property that you didn’t expect, it’s better for you to know about them first.
2. Get a Pest Inspection
Don’t be surprised by termites or ants. Subterranean termites can cause damage, lots of damage unseen by the owner. Get an inspection before placing the home on the market to determine if there will be any repairs or treatment needed. If there will be, get a few quotes from pest control companies, if you don’t have termite bond that will cover repairs.
3. Get a Neighborhood Environmental Report
This important inspection can include geologists, engineers, environmental scientists, and remedial systems technicians. A comprehensive review can provide services in groundwater resource evaluations, underground storage tank management, effluent disposal and groundwater contamination studies, environmental site assessments, and remediation services.
4. Prepare a Fact Sheet on the Selling Points of Your Neighborhood
Include school data, public transportation, nearby parks and recreation facilities, trails, community activities – as much as you can think of that will make your own neighborhood seem like a great place to live.
Have this information handy for all showings. If you have the time, a Home Book is even better, where you can include copies of warranties and photos of the home at different times of the year.
While your Realtor will be familiar with houses and prices, you are the best expert to sell the actual neighborhood.
5. Know Your Competition
Go to Open Houses and be aware of the listing prices and condition of the homes in your area. Be an informed seller.
6. Stage Your Home
Every property should look like a model home to sell at the highest price in the shortest time. But this isn’t always possible, especially if you are living in it!
Making minor repairs, like fixing leaky faucets and squeaking doors, is mandatory. Cleaning the house for every showing – including windows – is mandatory. Making sure the home smells clean and sounds inviting (no pet odors, no loud rock music) is mandatory.
Once you’ve committed to preparing your home for showings, then you can tackle actually Staging Your Property. See my next blog post for specifics on this important selling strategy.
Contact me with your questions on selling in the Daytona Beach Area.
Sherry Armstrong REALTOR®
Sherry@SherryArmstrong.com
386-679-3191