When someone lists their house for sale it’s because they want it to sell. Regardless of whether it’s a ‘buyers’ market or a ‘sellers’ market, there’s always going to be certain homes that sell quickly and some that take longer. We’ve helped buyers purchase homes after just hours on the market, and we’ve been on the other side reviewing multiple offers with our sellers and helping them sell their home for above list price. Leading up to both scenarios we’ve been asked, ‘what makes a home sell fast?’

Market conditions are a BIG factor, as supply and demand will drive people to make quicker decisions. But no matter what the market is doing here’s 5 things you can do to help your home sell faster:

  1. First impressions: before someone even steps inside your home, they’re already judging it and deciding if they like it. They’ve likely looked at the neighbours house, the street, the color of the exterior of the house, and many other things. You can help impress them by keeping your front yard clean, with grass mowed in the summer and sidewalks/driveway clear in the winter. You can also add a ‘Welcome’ sign beside the front door, have flowers in your yard and even a fresh coat of paint on the front verandah or stairs leading up to the front door can go a long way.
  2. Fresh paint: paint can make the biggest difference in how a home looks and feels. You don’t have to go an paint the entire house, even if it’s just adding some color to one or two walls to make a statement, that can make a big impression.
  3. Keep it clean: it will take some extra effort if you have kids and are still living in the house, but it can be the difference between buyers choosing your home over another one. Keeping dishes out of the sink, the garbages empty and picking up after yourself (and your kids) are all little things that add up. Wiping down kitchen counters, hanging up jackets and keeping rooms organized are all important to how your home presents itself.
  4. Start packing: get a head start on moving by packing up items you don’t use on a regular basis. This includes going through each room of the house and removing furniture or items that ‘take up space’. Put items in boxes and hide them in the garage. By clearing out space in the house, you’ll give the impression that rooms are larger.
  5. Be flexible: no matter what the market is doing, negotiations are part of buying and selling a home. Sellers who are willing to be flexible and work with a buyer are more likely to sell their home faster. Being willing to negotiate things like possession day, conditions and price will help ensure a smoother and quicker transaction.

There’s a number of factors that go into how quickly a home sells and doing these 5 things will help. We’ve seen these helpful tips lead to quick sales and happy clients.

If you're thinking of selling, or have questions about the process. Let's connect and talk about it. 

Have an amaZing day!

People First. Homes second. 

Garrett Zimmerman

Realtor

(403) 506-5795