8 CREATIVE AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SELL YOUR HOUSE FAST

 

You’ll often hear real estate professionals and other sellers talk about the importance of selling your home fast — and for good reason. One of the unfortunate scenarios any home seller wants to avoid is having their property staying too long on the market. The longer a listing remains listed for sale, the higher the chance that buyers may think something is wrong with the property and move on to other options.

 

It will require more than just haste to offload your property within a speedy time frame. It will take thoughtful preparation, market expertise, and some creativity. With this in-depth guide, you’ll learn creative and effective ways to sell your house as fast as possible.

 

For the best results and less stress, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a seller’s agent — someone who can properly guide you through each step of the process and all the technical requirements.

 

• Find a Theme and Stick to It
• Emphasize Cozy and Functional
• Go for a Virtual Experience
• Keep It Real
• Tell an Engaging Story Behind Your Home
• Get Extra During Open House
• Give Away Some Freebies
• Ease the Financing Burden
• Don’t Forget the Basics of Home Selling
  
  • Make Quick Repairs When Pressed for Time
  • Be Flexible With Showing Requests
  • Plan Ahead for a Price Reduction
• Selling Your Home in Minnesota is a Hassle-free Experience With Tim Ornell

 

Whether it’s mid-century modern, traditional, or Bohemian, having an overarching theme can be the wow factor that makes buyers fall in love with your home.

This isn’t just about making things look pretty. Sticking to a theme helps you create a comfortable atmosphere that permeates into everyday experiences in the home. Ultimately, it elevates home living, and buyers with a keen eye for themes and styles will greatly appreciate the harmony you’ve created.

Best of all, you don’t have to spend too much time and resources on this. It’s perfectly fine to build off of what your home currently has.

 

• Create focal points. Each room or part of the home should have a focal point. It can be as simple as a fireplace, a family portrait, or a minimalist coffee table. You can highlight this area by trying out different positions, colors, textures, and scales.
• Don’t be afraid to mix it up. While there’s no problem with repeating elements with the same traits and characteristics, adding some contrast does create more visual interest. Experiment with different colors, textures, and materials to create your desired atmosphere.
• Apply patterns judiciously. Applying patterns throughout the home is one of the more complex tasks. There is a real risk of overdoing it. By brushing up on the basics of how to balance dominating patterns with complementary ones, you can make any room look well-composed.

 

 

One of the more obvious effects of COVID-19 on real estate has been the continued preference for cozy and functional living spaces. And with the pandemic changing the way many live their day-to-day lives, buyers are likely to put a premium on a well-appointed home.

 

Take stock of your home and identify the areas where you can make some timely improvements. Start or build off of these ideas:

 

• An extra room or attic space converted into an office or studio
• A garage that can be turned into a home gym
• Converting a basement into a home theater
• Swapping out old furniture and fixtures for fresh and modern pieces
• Adding a small library by the living room and a simple fireplace
• Adding floor-to-ceiling windows to let in more natural light

 

The pandemic has also ramped up the real estate industry’s transition to digital. From virtual showings via social media to video footage shot from drones, there’s a plethora of ways to show buyers what they’re missing out on — even before they actually step foot into your home.

 

With a smartphone or a digital camera, you can do simple video walkthroughs around the house. You can take advantage of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to gain exposure from friends and followers who may circulate your posts to a promising buyer not already in your network.

 

• Mind the clutter. Before shooting make sure to carve out time for decluttering and sprucing up. Tidy up messy areas and cover up eyesores. Make things look more than presentable.
• Never shoot without good lighting. Whether natural or artificial, lighting does wonders to any video. Nail this basic principle and you could get close to making the footage look like it was shot by a professional videographer.
• Put your best foot forward. You don’t need to show every part of your home. Highlight the best features and save the rest for the in-person showing.

For professional video clips and photos, ask your agent if they can craft a virtual home tour for you. And if they don’t directly provide that service, they’re most likely connected with video and staging professionals who can really do justice to your home.

 

Reaching deep into your creative bag may be the difference that separates your home listing from the rest. However, it’s also important to keep things grounded in reality.

 

Excessive editing of photos and videos can set inflated expectations on the part of buyers. Overstaging — whether it’s too many artworks or an overly stuffed dining area — can also turn off buyers and even make some of them suspicious.

 

Is there an unflattering feature that’s hidden? Why is the seller simply trying too hard? These are questions you don’t want your buyers asking themselves.

 

It may be instructive to apply minimalism, which can help you show your home in the best light and keep it real at the same time:

 

• Work with what you have and accentuate the main elements.
• Remove clutter and de-personalize rooms.
• Make the atmosphere look airy and vibrant.
• Don’t hesitate to show people interacting and making use of the home through photos and videos.

 

Beyond the property description and technical details, take time to write a genuine story about the home. This approach adds a degree of charm and character to the house that will help you stand out in a competitive market.

 

Touch on key details that your target buyers will likely be interested in:

 

• How you got the house, as well as the improvements you’ve made since the purchase.
• What makes it a special place for you and the family.
• The nice little quirks about the house you’ve observed throughout the years.
• The neighbors who have made home life even more pleasant or interesting.

Coupled with snappy photos and videos, a well-written and thoughtful story can win the hearts of many buyers. Try to keep things concise to encourage readers to go through everything. And always have a fresh pair of eyes at hand — hopefully your real estate agent — to review your draft before you publish on any channel.

 

If you’re up to the task, organizing an open house is a great way to show your property to as many people as possible. But instead of the conventional approach, try to inject some fun and variety into the effort.

 

Not only will this generate much needed buzz around your listing, it can also instill a sense of urgency among buyers who can potentially see the competition’s level of interest.

 

• Show off the lawn or backyard. Got a spacious lawn or backyard? Show potential buyers a glimpse of the comfort and the activities that are possible in this part of the property. Fire up the barbecue grill while holding a friendly game of capture the flag.
• Hire catering services. When everyone feels at home during an open house, they’re more likely to see themselves living in the property. What better way to do that than to serve some delicious food and drinks? Nothing too heavy. Think quick morning brunch or an afternoon tea session.
• Showcase the home’s assets. Since you’re already having people over, it’s a good idea to flex some of the best features of your home. You can light up the fireplace by the living room, but why stop there? Serve wine from a private wine cellar or lay out food and drinks in a gorgeous marble center island.
• Hold a kids’ pool party. If families are your ideal buyers, it’s worthwhile to try and win their hearts through their kids. Organizing a kiddie pool party can be a great way for everyone to get the most out of an open house. The youngsters have fun while the adults explore the home and visualize family life in a new environment.

 

Everyone loves a freebie that comes with a pricey home purchase. There are quite a few ways for you to sweeten the deal. Start with things that you can’t or won’t bring with you in your new home.

 

It may be some multi-functional gym equipment, a Danish mid-century modern dining table, a slew of pricey kitchen appliances, or even a car. Whatever it is you choose to part with, both sides will benefit. You remove the hassle of moving and shipping these items and the fortunate buyer gets more bang for their buck.

 

But remember: do match your target buyer with a suitable freebie. For instance, think twice before offering to throw in a treadmill or bench press to someone who likely has little interest in them, such as someone who is quite advanced in years. Assumptions can be wrong but it’s always best to play safe.

 

 

You can get creative when it comes to costs and financing as well. This comes in handy with buyers (specifically serious ones) who may experience some difficulty paying for the entire cost of a home purchase.

 

If you think you’ve already found a serious buyer and you’re inches away from securing a deal, consider giving them a leg up with a number of financing solutions.

 

 

Thinking out of the box certainly improves your chances of selling your house fast, but swift success only comes to those who remember to apply the basics.

 

Be data-driven when it comes to setting price

 

Overpricing or underpricing a house is one of the most detrimental moves that a seller can make. To get an accurate read of just how much your home should sell for, it’s important to have a comparative market analysis (CMA) report.

 

A CMA thoroughly examines similar properties in your area that have been sold. Key details such as amenities, number of rooms, and square footage will be compared in the report to identify an ideal price range.

 

One of the perks of working with an agent is that you don’t have to create a CMA yourself. Licensed agents with access to Multiple Listing Services can generate the report for you and offer advice on the next steps you can take.

 

Make Quick Repairs When Pressed for Time

If you initially planned on a major overhaul of the home but lack the time for it, you can still make quick repairs or updates to polish anything that isn’t yet ready for buyers’ eyes, such as:

 

 

When you’re aiming to sell as fast as possible, it’s crucial to be flexible with showing requests. Showings can be tricky if schedules don’t align as neatly as you’d like. Plus, scrambling for last minute preparations a few hours or minutes before a buyer shows up can be very stressful.

 

However, keep in mind that the more people who get to see the home with their own eyes, you increase your chances of selling sooner rather than later.

 

For starters, consider accommodating weekend showings. A number of buyers can only find time to visit your home at the end of the work week. Additionally, think about being flexible with your required notice. Some buyers may only be in town for less than a day and need to quickly drop by on short notice.

 

Buyer requests will vary, so make sure to consult your agent if it’s reasonable to accommodate certain unusual requests.

 

Plan Ahead for a Price Reduction

Reducing the home price may seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re looking to sell for a fairly high amount. But if you’re rushing to sell and you still haven’t found good offers, it may be wise to go for a price reduction.

 

Remember, the longer your home stays on the market, the harder it becomes to sell. Plan ahead and look at your selling timeline. Mark up the dates when you expect to offer a discount. Make sure your agent weighs in on this idea as well.

 

It can take about one to three months to sell a home, from listing to closing. In today’s low inventory market, the process is likely quicker. Selling for a slightly lower price isn’t defeat. It’s a strategic move that can secure a home sale sooner and for a reasonable price.

 

10. Selling your home in Minnesota is a hassle-free experience with Tim Ornell

 

As a Twin Cities native and real estate agent with over six years of experience in the industry, Tim Ornell is best positioned to help you sell your home for the best price possible. He is an excellent marketer and tactful negotiator who never fails to champion clients’ real estate interests.

 

Aside from having a strong track record of selling multi-million dollar properties, Tim is also a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™. With his high-performing team of real estate professionals from the Ornell Group, you’re in good hands whether it’s buying a luxury real estate or waterfront properties in Minnesota.

 

To book a private consultation with Tim and his team, you can reach out at (651) 263-9480 or send an email to [email protected].