If you’re thinking about selling your home, now is a great time to do so. The market is not as hot as it was even a year ago, but there are still many buyers out there who want to take advantage of lower prices and interest rates. Plus, with more inventory on the market right now than usual, there’s more competition for buyers—which means that sellers need to step up their game if they want to make sure their homes get sold and get at least their asking price in the process. If you’re ready for this challenge but aren’t sure how best to approach it from a marketing perspective, we’ve got five tips for getting your asking price:

First Impressions Matter

When you walk into any place, your first impressions often set the tone for the rest of your time there. Here are some tips to make sure your home sets a great first impression! 

  • Clean up the clutter – A cluttered home may come across as a sign of disorganization, which can be a turnoff for buyers. If you want to avoid this impression, take some time to organize your possessions and remove any items that aren’t necessary.
  • Upgrade your entryway – You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on new fixtures, but there are many inexpensive upgrades you can make that will give your home an instant facelift without breaking the bank—like replacing worn doormats with beautiful ones in complementary colors or changing out outdated door chimes for something sleek and modern. Changing what visitors see first will make them feel more welcome when they arrive at your home, so it’s worth investing in some new decor!
  • A fresh coat of paint is never a bad idea! Besides being simple and inexpensive (and easy on your wallet), painting overdated colors or changing outdated artwork can freshen up any space instantly!

Make Sure It Looks Inviting

When it comes to selling your place in a slowing market, one of the biggest things you can do is make it look welcoming and inviting. It’s no secret that humans have an uncanny ability to detect scents—even when the scent is subliminal—which means that having your home smell like fresh laundry or baking cookies could help close a sale.

The same goes for lighting: natural light creates a warm feeling and makes rooms feel bigger than they are, whereas artificial lighting tends to make spaces feel smaller by comparison. Add some plants around your home (especially if they’re fragrant), and you’re sure to create an ambiance that feels fresh and new!

Your home should be clean and tidy and have an inviting atmosphere, with enough space for them to walk around comfortably without knocking into things or feeling cramped. Asking prices are typically determined based on what other homes in the area have sold for recently, so having a spacious layout will help you get closer to your asking price if there’s space available in your bedrooms or living area. It may seem counterintuitive at first glance (after all, who doesn’t like more options?), but by showing off some of the smaller rooms in your home instead of hiding them away behind closed doors, you can make buyers feel less claustrophobic while they tour around the home—and they’ll likely be more inclined to take advantage of said space later down the line if they see how comfortable it is!

The Best Real Estate Photography Wins

When you’re selling your home, a beautiful photo will go a long way. It’s been proven that buyers are more likely to make an offer when they see amazing photos of the property. While it may seem counterintuitive to invest in photography when you’re trying to sell your home quickly, it’s worth every penny.

Some people may think that taking photos is simple and doesn’t require much skill. While there are plenty of ways to take great photos without hiring someone else to do it for you (the biggest being using natural sunlight), having professional photos taken will make all the difference between getting or not getting your asking price in today’s market.

But taking good pictures doesn’t happen overnight—or even over several days! You need months of preparation before even stepping foot inside the door with cameras in hand so that when you start snapping away, everything goes smoothly and looks spectacular on camera.

Have a Welcoming Attitude

Being a host is all about creating a positive experience for your guests, so it only makes sense that you would want to treat potential buyers the same way. Answering any questions potential buyers may have about your home is another great way to make them feel welcomed. 

If there’s a fun fact about your home or a quirky or uncommon use for a certain area, sharing that story or fact may help your potential buyer to envision their own use for the space.

Stage Your Home to Sell 

We’ve mentioned this before, but staging your home properly can sometimes be the difference between a sale and a “no thanks”. Here are some things you can do to successfully stage your home:

  • Clean up and clean out – think “declutter” and remove any unnecessary items
  • Take care of the yard – a clean yard will help potential buyers envision how they may use that space
  • Remove personal items, like photos, loose kids toys, refrigerator art, etc, that may hinder potential buyers from being able to envision themselves in your home
  • Banish odors – a bad scent can turn away a potential buyer nearly immediately. Many sellers love to bake cookies or even a pie to get that warm, welcoming feeling!
  • Get rid of any broken items or appliances that aren’t working right now – fix them before putting them back on the market
  • Touch up paint on walls and replace worn furniture with updated pieces that will help sell your home faster for top dollar.

 

If you’re not sure how to tackle these items, we are here to help! We can walk you through the process of preparing your home to sell and how to attract your perfect buyer. Schedule a free consultation with us today.