Selling a house is an overwhelming undertaking. A report by the daily mail even said selling a home may be more stressful than a divorce, bankruptcy, or the death of a loved one.
Throw in the fact that you need to sell your house fast because of a new job, financial hardship, or otherwise unexpected life event.
Well, the pressure is on!
How Do I Sell My House Fast In Houston?
If you want to sell your Houston home quickly and confidently, these three steps will explain how to sell a house fast.
Step:1 Set A Competitive Listing Price
If you need to sell your house fast, setting a competitive price is critical. Pricing a property too high can deter potential buyers. So setting a competitive price from the beginning will help your house sell quickly. When it comes to figuring out the value of your home, several factors determine price, some having a more significant impact than others. Take these top four factors into consideration when determining your listing price; location, comparable sales, or “comps”, condition, and updates.
- Location
Discovering if your house is in a good location is determined by a couple of factors. The obvious one is the proximity of your house to amenities, a good school district, entertainment, or even a coffee shop; all make your home more desirable to a buyer. Also, if your home is on a busy street or a quiet cul-de-sac can raise or lower its value. But that’s not all. Your neighborhood’s reputation, like economic and crime statistics, also will be factored into your home’s value. The location also plays a role in pulling comps for the area.
- Comps
Comps are price comparables of recently sold homes in your area. When comparing sold properties around your home, you will want to pull comps in your zip code, without crossing any big boundaries like a freeway or main boulevard. Pulling comps within a .5 mile radius will produce a more accurate picture of your home’s value.
Besides location, make sure to look for homes similar in lot size, square footage, year of construction, and the same number of rooms sold in the last six months. Doing this will give you a better idea of your competition and the average listing price for a house similar to yours.
- Condition
Even if you have identical floor plans, no two houses are alike. And the condition of your home will play a role in determining the listing price. Any repairs you do or don’t make, impact the value of your home. So if your house isn’t in good shape, it will likely sell but for a lower price. If you need to sell a house fast and don’t have the time or money to put towards repairs, finding an as-is buyer would be ideal.
- Updates
Any renovations remodeling, upgrades, or updates you make to your home will have a
positive impact on its value. Keep in mind, though that all updates are not equal. Certain
renovations have a better return on their investment than others. Not to mention if the
upgrades are a bit unique doesn’t mean someone else will see the value in them.
Once you determine a competitive listing price, the next step to sell your house fast in Houston is to get your home ready to sell.
Step: 2 Prepare Your House To Sell
To sell a house fast, you want to put your best foot forward. Creating a great first impression on potential buyers is critical to selling a house quickly. Preparing your house to sell would include decluttering, cleaning, and creating curb appeal.
Decluttering– remove mess or clutter from your home. Decluttering can be a daunting task if you have been living in a house for years or become somewhat of a pack-rat. Hiring a professional organizer or renting a storage unit to store some of your belongings would help speed up the process. A house full of personal items can make it hard for a potential buyer to visualize themself living there.
Cleaning– Along with decluttering, it is important to have a clean house to show buyers. Cleanliness gives the impression that your home has been well cared for and maintained. Dust, mop, vacuum, clean the windows, and if you have pets, make sure your house smells good. If it has been a while since your place has had a deep cleaning hiring a cleaning crew would be helpful.
Curb appeal– The first thing a buyer sees is the front yard and the entrance to your home. So, to entice a potential buyer it’s essential to have some curb appeal. Make sure your yard and driveway are clear of bikes and toys. Do some lawn maintenance, pull some weeds, and make sure your place looks welcoming. If you notice any exterior repairs that need attention, it would be good to hire someone to get those fixed.
Now that you have set a competitive listing price and prepared your house to sell, your next step is to start marketing.
Step: 3 Marketing
When it comes to selling a house fast, the more people looking at your home, the better. Nearly all generations start their house hunt online, so the best way to sell a house fast is by marketing online. By marketing online, you will be able to showcase your home for potential buyers before they even walk through the door.
To start, make sure to get great photos of your home taken. A professional photographer will help emphasize the features of your home, using the right light and angles. Don’t be surprised though to pay a few hundred dollars for professional photos. You may be inspired to take these photos yourself with your latest and greatest smartphone, but that won’t cut it.
Another way to market is by posting your home on Facebook, Craigslist, Instagram, and FSBO sites if you’re selling by owner. Remember to keep these posts up to date so people are noticing them and be prepared to answer any questions potential buyers may have.
Lastly, make sure you invest in a for sale sign for your yard and start hosting an open house on the weekend to get potential buyers in the door. Just be prepared to give up a few hours of your weekend for strangers to walk through your home. And make sure the rest of the family and pets have somewhere to go for a couple of hours too.
Is There Another Way To Sell A House Fast In Houston?
There is no guarantee once you follow these three steps to sell a house fast that you actually will sell in the time frame you need. The best way to guarantee a fast sell would be to find a cash home buyer in the Houston area like Very Fast Homebuyers.
Very Fast Homebuyers purchase houses as-is, so there is no need to declutter, clean, or create curb appeal. They can give you a cash offer within one business day, saving you the time and trouble of marketing your home. They also will meet you at your home when convenient for you, keeping your weekends free of hosting open houses. If you need to sell your house fast, reach out to Very Fast Homebuyers today!