When you’re selling a house, timing is everything. How fast you can sell your house can affect plans in other areas of your life: How soon you can start a new job, have a second child, retire, or take that long-awaited vacation. So when you’re ready to sell, it’s helpful to have an idea of how quickly (or not) your home might be on the market. There are a lot of variables that can affect that timeline. Here are a few.
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1. The season
Conventional wisdom suggests selling in the springtime, because that’s when more people are searching for homes. Buyers are shopping that time of year because of warmer weather, more daylight, and the need to get a new house before the school year starts. While that’s generally the case, late winter may actually be a good time as well. That’s because fewer homes are for sale at the beginning of the new year. If you’re the only house on the block or among only a few in the area for sale, competition is lower than during spring.
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2. Single-family homes vs. townhomes
Although younger buyers tend to buy single-family homes, many retirement-age buyers opt to downsize and purchase a townhome or condo. The type of dwelling you have and the demographic it appeals to can impact how long it takes to sell your home.
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3. The real estate agent
An agent experienced selling your type of home and who’s familiar with your area can make a huge difference. A good agent knows how to prep your home for sale and how to effectively market it.
How can I sell my home fast?
There are some effective shortcuts to prime your house for sale. One tried-and-true method? Declutter your home (storage units can work wonders!) to really show off storage space and make it feel roomier. Another tip is to hire a professional home stager who can see your home from a buyer’s perspective; the good ones can highlight its strengths and minimize weaknesses. Next, go beyond relying on your agent to promote your house. Spread the word via social media and send the listing page to family and friends.
Other ways to help get your home sold quickly include small kitchen and bathroom upgrades, making sure your home has enough natural and artificial light, and tidying outside. Make a good first impression by trimming the hedges, painting shutters, and pressure-washing your house, walkways, and driveway. Pay attention to the smallest details, such as polishing the kickplate and brushing away cobwebs from your front porch.
