Making the decision to downsize is becoming increasingly popular. With rising real estate costs, inflation, and even a minimalist movement, many homeowners realize they no longer need large homes with excessive space. Whether your kids have moved out or you simply want to reduce upkeep, downsizing can be an excellent financial and personal lifestyle decision. Many homeowners are beginning to realize that “less is more”!
Of course, in order to downsize, you’ll need to sell your current home and find a new one — not exactly an easy feat. The good news is that we’ve compiled a list of seven expert tips to help you sell your home in a flash so you can start living your downsized dream.
#1. Sell Your Existing Furniture
You’re not going to need as much stuff in your new smaller home, so some things will need to go. One great idea is to consider selling off the furniture you won’t need. This will make the process a lot less stressful and you won’t have to worry about the extra costs (and sweat) or moving lots of bulky furniture — not to mention not having room for it at your new house!
If you decide to wait to sell your furniture, you might be able to offer the furniture to the new buyers. This is an attractive deal for new buyers who are looking to make the home buying process easier and get settled in a little faster.
#2. Boost Your Curb Appeal
Let’s face it, the real estate market is red hot right now and competition is stiff! You need your home to look as good as possible to sell it quickly. But, don’t worry, you don’t need to go all HGTV on your yard to make a difference. Instead, focus on smaller tasks like ensuring weeds are pulled and the lawn is mowed (especially before showings). Painting the fence, planting some flowers, and powerwashing your stained garage door can also help.
You do not need to spend a lot of money to help improve the curb appeal of your home. Simple changes can make a large difference, especially for realtors who will take photos of the home for listing purposes.
#3. Declutter
Decluttering your home is a multi-purpose activity when it comes to downsizing. For one, you can make some extra cash on items you don’t use, your kids have outgrown, or you no longer want. Try having an old-school garage sale to get rid of your junk, or list it online. You can also consider donating extra clutter to charity.
Decluttering before you move, rather than once you get to your new home, will make the unpacking process much easier. It will also save you the hassle of extra moving supplies and costs associated with more boxes. In addition, decluttering your home will help it look a lot cleaner and more attractive during showings.
#4. Price your Home to Sell
If you’re trying to sell your home quickly, you will need to give careful consideration to the price you list your home at. Of course, we all want to get top dollar when it comes to selling our homes. However, pricing too high will deter potential buyers and may slow the entire selling process. Doing some basic research of your home’s value, along with what other comparable homes in your area have sold for, will help you determine a fair price to list your home.
#5. Upgrade and Repair Appliances
If your appliances have seen better days, it’s time for some serious work either repairing them or upgrading them. For a home to sell quickly, it’s recommended that all major appliances are in working order. This can be a significant deterrent to home buyers if they find out a must-have appliance is not in working order or missing entirely.
#6. Clean, Clean, Clean
To show your home, it must be exceptionally clean. This might mean dedicating several hours or even days to heavy-duty cleaning or hiring professional cleaning services to help. A clean home will show so much better than a dirty one, giving potential buyers the impression that the home has been well-cared for and maintained. Having a messy or dirty home can give the wrong impression to buyers who may think the entire house is filthy and in disarray.
#7. Remove Personal Items
We know you love your home, but it’s not going to be yours for much longer. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves and their families making memories in your space rather than be greeted with life-sized cutouts of your kids, a portrait of your wedding day, and so forth. You should remove all personal items, memorabilia, and photos to give your home (and potential buyers) a fresh slate for showings.
The tips and considerations mentioned in this guide all aim to help your home show well to potential buyers. A few basic tips, such as professionally cleaning the home and removing personal items like family photos, can help buyers envision themselves living in your home and make a fast offer with their bright future in mind.
Need to sell your home quickly? Call or text the advisors at Homeinc to help you start the process at (888)-850-2636. Homeinc can help you get an instant cash offer on your home and work with you on a closing date that is convenient for you. Skip the commissions, closing costs, unnecessary repairs, showings, etc. and work with the professionals at Homeinc.
