[cnxvideo id=”625493″ placement=”ros”]There’s little doubt that the 2017 home-buying season is going to begin with more buyers looking for a home that sellers looking to sell. The lack of inventory is a home seller’s best friend because it can drive up what buyers are willing to pay and a home buyer’s worst enemy because the lack of inventory can drive up what sellers will accept.
In the cities where home prices have risen fastest (Seattle, Denver, Portland, for example), multiple offers above the asking price are not uncommon and the seller can choose among those offers in less than a month.
But if you don’t live in one of those cities, you might have to try a little harder, especially if your house has been on the market for several weeks with little or no apparent buyer interest.
And keep in mind that you might have to accept less than you want for your house. Your house, like most things for sale, is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, regardless of the value you attach to it.
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There are, however, some tricks you can use to improve your chances of attracting both a buyer who sees the value in your home and is willing to pay your asking price. The housing specialists at Trulia list four tricks that could help you sell your house more quickly.
1. Keep your home tidy. Toys scattered all over the place and piles of papers or books suggest to potential buyers that the house doesn’t have enough storage space. De-clutter.
2. Update outdated décor. Buyers typically don’t want to spend a bundle on buying a house and then another bundle on bringing the house into the 21st century. Look at some modern home design magazines and websites and find some relatively inexpensive changes that will make your house more attractive to today’s buyers.
3. Clean up after your pets. Not everyone likes dogs or cats. Especially if the first thing that greets them when they open the door is the aroma left behind your pets. Worse is an allergic reaction from a potential buyer. Remember, you’re used to having the pet around and probably don’t notice the odors; buyers certainly will.
4. Create a blank canvas. Try to create a neutral environment where potential buyers can visualize putting their own possessions. This means de-personalizing your house by taking the kids’ artwork off the refrigerator and stowing those Green Bay Packers pillows and banners (unless you live in Green Bay, of course).
Visit Trulia’s website for more details.
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