In May 2022, the median sale price for a previously occupied house jumped to $407,600. This was a record high and almost a 15% increase from 2021.
This might have you seeing dollar signs if you're ready to sell your property. However, be forewarned that home sales have actually fallen since the summer of 2020. This means that while you can get a handsome price for your home, you need to be smart about the sale.
If you need some help, don’t worry. Here are some new homebuyer tips so you can attract serious buyers for your home.
Fix Up Your Property First
You may get buyers who will purchase your house as-is. The chances are higher if your property is in excellent condition and there aren't major repairs needed, and the overall appearance is like new.
Selling your home as-is can be an easier route, but you probably won't attract as many serious buyers. Plus, you won't get as good a price.
Getting a home inspection before listing your property can be a great idea. The expert can tell you what condition the HVAC, plumbing, water, sewage, and electric systems are in. They'll also look for any type of damage from water, fire, or pests.
From there, you can determine what's worth your time and money to fix. In general, it's best to focus on things that are immediately obvious and won't cost a fortune to repair. That way, you'll get a better return on investment (ROI).
Clean and Declutter
Buyers will understand that you're still living in the property. However, a dirty and cluttered home will put people off.
Taking the time to declutter will benefit everyone. Not only will there be less stuff for you to pack and bring to your new home, but it'll also make your house look bigger and cleaner.
Of course, you should sweep, mop, dust, etc., too. To save both time and effort, and to get better results, consider hiring a cleaning company for the job.
Plus, consider removing all personal objects, such as family portraits. If there are fewer things identifying you and your family, then it's easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.
Stage Your Home
You've already started staging your property by decluttering, cleaning, and fixing small things. Now's the time to put the finishing touches to make your house as appealing as possible.
Rearranging your furniture will do wonders, and it's free and simple to do. Make sure the configuration opens up the rooms and has a good flow when buyers tour your house.
You should also invest in storage units, especially if you plan on keeping the things you found while decluttering. This gives you some storage space before you pack for the big move, and these items will be out of the way while you're showing your property.
Take High-Quality Photos of Your Property
Now that your home's ready, it's time to take pictures.
Don't rush this process, as it'll be what "sells" your property. Prospective buyers will get their first impression of your house from these pictures, after all.
Ensure that your photos are in high resolution. Most modern smartphones can do this, but if you don't have an up-to-date phone, use a DLSR camera instead.
Go through each room and take numerous pictures from different angles and positions. Take them during the day with the curtains and blinds open, so buyers can see how amazing the natural light looks.
If you have no choice but to take photos at night, or you have areas where natural light doesn't reach, use plenty of artificial lighting. Nobody wants to live in a dark cave, so it's important to show how well-lit your house is.
Take High-Quality Videos Too
In addition to photos, you'll also want to take videos. Again, only use devices that take high-resolution videos, as it'll look more professional.
Pictures can say a lot about your house; however, they can still be misleading at times. You can supplement your photos by taking videos that give viewers a better understanding of the space you're working with.
These videos can provide a virtual tour that just might motivate someone to come check out the house in person. It'll also provide clarity that the photos can't, so you'll effectively weed out buyers who don't find the property suitable for their needs. As a result, you'll only show your home to serious buyers.
Optimize Your Real Estate Listing
You'll catch people's interest by posting attractive pictures of your property. However, you'll need to keep their interest by writing an engaging and detailed listing.
Think about all the things you'd look for as a buyer and put those in your listing. Make sure to point out any special features, such as high ceilings, a large garden, etc.
Don't make your listing too long and avoid large chunks of text too. Keep your readers' eyes from glazing over by using bullet lists with short and succinct points.
In addition, don't forget to describe the local area and highlight anything interesting. For example, maybe there's a nearby public pool or park, or maybe there's a highly-ranked elementary school a few blocks away.
Promote Your Listing
You've now listed your house, so the next thing is to promote it. Otherwise, no one will know there's a prime piece of property for sale.
The tried and tested route of direct mail marketing still works today. But you'll need to couple that with online marketing too.
You can take out ads on Google so that when people search relevant terms, they'll find your listing. You can also place ads in publications, both online and offline.
Appealing to your own social circle isn't a bad idea either. While they might not be in the market to buy the property themselves, they can get the word out for you.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Social media isn't only for keeping in touch with loved ones and making new friends. It's evolved to become a business tool too, so take advantage of this.
Social media marketing can help get your listing out in front of perfect buyers. This is because you can segment and target your ads to specific demographics instead of a generic audience. In turn, this has a higher ROI.
You should also post on your accounts to advertise your property. This is another easy way for your social network to spread this information; all they'll need to do is click "reshare" on your posts.
Host an Open House
What better way to attract potential buyers than to host an open house? This allows them to see the property in person, and to really envision themselves living there.
Even if they're not quite ready to buy yet, seeing others who are interested may awaken a sense of urgency in them. This is a fantastic way to increase interest in your house and get several serious inquiries.
Hire an Excellent Real Estate Agent
As you can see, attracting buyers is a tough job. You might not have the time and energy for it. Not to mention, you probably don't know how to stage properties and host open houses effectively.
This is where a reputable real estate agent or realtor comes in. They can handle everything from start to finish, from listings to showings. Plus, they'll give you solid advice on what to do and when.
They also partner with professional photographers and videographers to have the most high-quality photos and videos to showcase your home.
Also, they'll know the local market, which means they'll ensure you don't set your home's price too low. In addition, they can negotiate with buyers on your behalf to get top dollar for your property.
While you'll have to pay for their services, it'll be worth it. You'll be paying for not only their hard work, but also their skills and experience.
Use These New Homebuyer Tips for Success
Taking a look at the local market might have you excited. Properties are selling for high prices, so you're expecting yours will too. However, without proper preparation, you won't have a pleasant selling experience, nor will you be satisfied with the final selling price.
With these new homebuyer tips though, you'll be able to spruce up your house and make it an enticing place to buy. Before you know it, you'll have multiple showings and tons of people at your open houses. And as a result, you'll sell more quickly and for a good price too!
If you have a property for sale, then first check what it's worth with our tool. Then find top real estate agents and realtors too!