Tips to Sell Your Home Faster - Part 1

The following post is from a guest writer, Kathy Wells:

In this two-part post, I will share with you the secrets to selling a home fast that our Zip Agent shared with us. With a little preparation, your home could be in high demand, too.  Here are the first five tips that sold our house in one week:

Fresh paint inside and out.
This one step made the house look new!  Neutral paint inside is more pleasing to buyers.

Remember Curb Appeal!

• Clean out flower beds
• Trim trees and bushes
• Flowers can add fresh splashes of color
• Keep your yard mowed
• Make sure that your mailbox is in good condition – not leaning, dented, or in need of paint; or better yet, buy a new mailbox!

Get rid of clutter.
It’s amazing how things can pile up! It you have not used it in over a year, get rid of it.  Pack up knick-knacks, and put away personal photos.  Remember, buyers want to visualize their belongings in this house.  Clean off kitchen counters--this will emphasize how much space your kitchen offers.

Have a garage sale or put it on eBay.  Make yourself a few extra dollars by selling your unwanted stuff either locally through a garage sale or have a world-wide audience with eBay. 

When people come to your garage sale, they may find themselves interested in your house, too.  Never let people in your home that you don’t know; make sure that you have your agent's cards available to hand out so that they can make an appointment to view your home.

Make minor repairs

• Replace burned out light bulbs
• Repair damage to walls or ceilings
• Fix drawers and doors that don’t open and close properly
• Oil the door hinges; a squeaky door makes a bad first impression

Real estate agents work with other home professionals that you may need. Our home needed a couple of minor repairs and we had no idea who to contact. Our agent suggested a contractor who came to our house the same day! Now that’s service!  Be sure to check out my next post where I will give you the rest of these priceless tips!

Kathy is a freelance writer from central Florida.  Kathy’s work can be seen both in print and online publications on topics including human interest articles, biographies, and real estate.