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HomeGain Library - Seller Resources

Sell when your house is ready, not when you are

In sales, the sooner the deal is closed, the better. Right? Actually, that is not always the case.

What if you could close a bigger deal or one with better terms if you waited a week? In real estate sales, patience is a virtue. Exercising that patience in placing your home on the market may ultimately result in a higher sale price, and even a shorter sale period. Does that sound oxymoronic? Keep reading...

Once you've made the decision to sell your house, you are probably eager to sell it sooner rather than later. This is especially the case if you've already found a new home to purchase, if you are relocating to another state, or even if you simply can't wait to have an attache case filled with many neatly stacked piles of cash handed to you.

So why waste time on repairs and touchups? Maybe the red and green plaid wallpaper or 50 year old carpeting are really not that big a deal. Perhaps it has that "old world charm".

Plus, most homebuyers have the vision to see beyond such trivialities. And you can always offer the buyer some cash back upon closing for touch-ups or repairs if need be. Right?

Think again. First impressions are hugely important! Most buyers are not interior designers or creative visionaries. They want a place that makes them feel good and that they can be excited about coming home too. If your house looks like it can be used as a set for an episode of Archie Bunker, you may never have the opportunity to offer buyers anything because they will already be looking at another house.

If you're unsure about what is worth fixing and what isn't, or about how your house should look when opening it up to potential buyers, try to find an agent who has experience in this area.

Questions regarding this matter should be part of your interview process with listing agents. If you are already working with an agent who is lacking in this department, find a decorator that can fill this role. It may take some time and money upfront, but should yield better results for you in the end.

Taking the time to ensure that you've covered all your bases and put yourself in the best position possible can be vital. Don't create handicaps for yourself by forcing buyers to stretch their imaginations in order to envision their beautiful home. Make it as easy and irresistible as possible.

Otherwise, not only can you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to lower your price, but the sale could very well take much longer than if you had made the much needed fixing in advance.