How to Sell my House Fast in the slow Market?

Do you want to sell your house?

The current real estate market in most areas of the U.S. has stalled, with no dramatic upswing insight. At the same time, there are sales being made because people still need to relocate for a job or have health issues, they may want to downsize or are ready to become a first-time homebuyer. With such a high inventory of single-family homes and condominiums on the market, here’s what you can do to get ahead of the curve and actually sell your home within a reasonable length of time.

#1 Beat your competition on price. Research what similar homes have recently sold for (not what they listed for) in your neighborhood and undercut by at least a few hundred dollars to start. A real estate sales associate can easily get you those sales figures. Indicate you are willing to negotiate.

#2 Assess your home’s negative points with a critical eye and make repairs. Fix leaky faucets, replace broken or cracked windows, tighten screws on loose cupboard doors, nail down squeaking floorboards, put fresh caulk around the tub or shower, fill in nail holes, or cracks in wallboard and repaint, replace worn-out window coverings or shades that don’t work.

#3 Update and get with the times. Get a couple of gallons of paint in a soft or neutral color and go to work on those walls and trim. Replace those clunky, noisy ceiling fans with modern models. New faucets and showerheads will add sparkle. Change outworn (or missing) cupboard and drawer knobs. If your budget will allow, replace that old burner-top stove, ancient refrigerator, and worn-out dishwasher. You don’t necessarily need to do a total makeover, but if you have orange, shag carpet in the living room I would seriously recommend installing a new, inexpensive carpet and pad!

#4 Use soap, water, and elbow grease. It’s a big turn off for potential buyers when there is visible dirt and grime and it can indicate that the seller has let other issues slide on the house as well. Mop floors and apply a good grout cleaner in tiled areas. Look for dirt and smudges on door trim and handles, dust furniture, vacuum floors, and rugs and sweep downstairs. Clean out the sink, tub, and shower drains, remove soap scum from bathroom walls, wash or replace shower curtains. Get on a stepladder and clean accumulated dust and dirt from ceiling fan blades, clean the oven, remove old food, and wash inside of the refrigerator. Replace air filters and wash all the windows inside and out!

#5 Do the Sniff Test. After being outside and coming into your house, how does it smell? Are there any obnoxious odors, such as wet dog, fish aquarium, birdcage, cigarette or cigar smoke, old garbage, gym clothes, stinky sneakers, mildew, or strong food odors from last night’s meal? If so, thoroughly clean offensive areas and dispose of stinky articles. It may be necessary to wash down and repaint walls and replace old curtains and carpet if the smoke smell is overpowering.