Appliance.com

How to Compete in a Changing Market Interest rates have inched higher, and homes are taking longer to sell. The inventory is high and there are not as many buyers.

Patti Irwin is a real estate agent with Remax Action in Lisle and Oak Brook, IL. She has more than 20 years of business experience. She can be reached at 630/388-8066 or www.PattiIrwin.com

Instead of selling your home in a few days, it’s typically taking 30-90 days to sell. But don’t panic! The market is slower than it has been the last few years, but we are starting to come into a more normal market. Interest rates are still very attractive and your home is still the best investment you can make.

How do you compete in a slower market? The more you can do, the better. Here are 7 quick tips to help you sell your home faster and for more money.

1. Have curb appeal. You have probably heard this a million times, but you want to make a good first impression. Buyers will judge a home by the way it looks from the outside before they even go in it. Make your home inviting. Paint the front door, paint the front steps if needed, wash the windows, cut the lawn and trim the bushes. Add some flower pots to the front entry way and to your deck or patio.

2. Upgrade! Upgrade! Since most buyers want to move into a home that doesn’t need a lot of work, take a good look at the condition of many aspects of your home, including your appliances. Spending just a bit of money to upgrade your appliances can change the look of a kitchen or a laundry room and can make just enough of a difference so you cinch the sale.

3. Declutter! You’ll be moving…and when you move you need to pack… so just pack up early! Pack up items that you won’t be using. This is a good time to give things away to goodwill or have a garage sale. Buyers need to visualize their items in your home.

4. Make it Sparkle. Your home must be immaculate. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink; put them in the dishwasher. You should vacuum, mop floors, dust, and make sure you put things away. If you have pets make sure their space is clean and odor free.

5. Show it Off. Arrange or remove furniture to bring focus to a fireplace, bay window, a large room, wood floors, etc. If you have too much furniture in a room it tends to looks smaller. Remove items from your countertops in your kitchen and baths. You want buyers to focus in on the room and not on your personal items.

6. Give a Good Price. Sellers need to be realistic with their price. If you want top dollar, your home has to be in tip-top shape. Remember, you are in competition with every home in your price range. Buyers will start with the least expensive home and work up. If you price your home too high, it can hurt you in the long run. You lose potential buyers, you gain market time, and your home will take longer to sell.

7. Find a Good Realtor. Most importantly you need to find a good realtor that you trust and can build rapport with, and one that can help you make the best decisions. Your home is one of your biggest financial assets, and working with a professional can lead you to a stress-free, smooth transaction. More Editorials