Tips to Sell Your Home in A Buyers Market

In a buyer’s market, when you are competing with an unusually high number of other listings, follow these tips below, and we can get your home sold! You’ll need  some time to prepare your home before you put the sign in the yard...

1) LIST PRICE:  It is imperative to price your home AT it’s market value.  If you attempt to price your property by leaving “negotiating room” in the list price, you may risk additional days on market, or no sale at all.  With 1 buyer to every 8 sellers in the Twin Cities 13 county metro area, to sell your home, you MUST out price your competition.

2) CONDITION:  It is imperative that your home out shines your competition!  If your home is in great condition, on top of being priced right—this is the best combination to get your home sold in a buyer’s market.  Follow ALL of the remaining tips below (do not skimp!), and we can just about guarantee your house will sell!

3) STAGING:  Get rid of clutter. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.  If you can remove 1-2 out of every 3 pieces of furniture.  This will make all spaces seem “roomier” and will allow a prospective buyer to envision their own furniture in those spaces.  Take all of your personal “knick knacks” and photos down.  Remove out dated wall paper and repaint in warm neutral colors.  Our agents are experienced w/interior design & staging and we can assist you through this entire process.  You do not need to hire an outside staging consultant.

4) REPAIRS:  Make those minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors & locks, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.  Complete all necessary sheet rock repairs and paint touch ups—do not skimp here! 

5) WINDOWS:  Wash your windows and screens inside and out.

6) CLEAN:  Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates.  Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.  Professionally clean carpeting.

7) ODORS:  Get rid of any smells. Clean drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

8) LIGHTS:  Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Stay away from energy efficient bulbs when trying to sell.  Replace any burnt-out bulbs. 

9) YARD:  Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

10)  DRIVEWAY/SIDEWALK:  Patch holes in your driveway.  Fill cracks w/sand if driveway is sinking near the foundation.  If you are trying to sell your home in the winter, make sure your driveway and walk ways are free of snow and ice.

11)   GUTTERS:  If you have them, clean them!

12)   UPDATES/REMODELING:  Do NOT spend the time or money updating items (countertops, carpeting, tile) in your home, unless your realtor has recommended you make those updates.  In many cases you will not see a full return on your investment in a buyer’s market. 

13)   SHOWINGS:  Turn on all lights and burn a Yankee “Vineyard” candle, & you’re ready to go!