Sarasota is a beautiful city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The city has many cultural amenities and great home values, which makes it a desirable real estate market. Winter is a time when many people come to the Gulf coast to enjoy the warm weather and you can easily find a buyer for your property before Christmas if you follow these 12 steps.
1. Get A Good Real Estate Agent
You may have noticed real estate signs in your neighborhood that have been effective in selling other homes in your area. Contact the agent and discuss your plan for a quick sale. Make sure you choose an agent who is an expert in your area and type of home.
2. Have Your Home Appraised
Have an appraisal of your property done so that you have a good idea of the market value of your home and how it compares to other properties that are available in your area.
3. A Realistic Listing Price
Your real estate agent will be able to advise you a realistic value, considering the prospect of getting an offer quickly in the calculation. Though you may think your home is worth more, you will shorten the time spent on the market if you entice buyers in with a desirable price.
4. Repair Broken Items
Potential buyers will be dissuaded from making an order if a number of items are broken or in disrepair in the home. Fix broken knobs, glass, tile or appliances to create a well-cared-for appearance.
5. De-Clutter Your Home
Remove all items that are not necessarily for everyday use. Get rid of clutter in garages and yard areas. Put away clothing, books, magazines, toys and other items that make the home look messy and undesirable.
6. Arrange Furniture Strategically
Consider changing the furniture arrangement of your home to take greatest advantage of space and traffic patterns. Placing a chair near an attractive view of the outdoors and keeping open spaces for easy movement can make a difference in the look of your home interior.
7. Bathroom Staging
Remodeling a bathroom is a major expense for a new homebuyer. If the room looks unclean, cluttered or in disrepair, they will move on to find a house that requires less remodeling. Fixtures should be sparkling clean. Walls should be a pleasant “spa” color, like aqua or pale green. Update lighting, shower curtain and linens on display.
8. Kitchen Staging
Again, cleanliness is critical. Your kitchen surfaces should shine. Remove pot racks that make it appear the kitchen has insufficient storage. Take away kitchen islands and extra chairs that fill up floor space. Put out a holiday centerpiece. Put away all but two appliances to ensure that counters look open and efficient.
9. Increase Curb Appeal
Leave your front door and stand across the street from your home. You may see that door needs painting, or the bushes need pruning back to show attractive windows. Sometimes, something as simple as a flowerbed or a hanging flower basket can make your house look more homey and appealing.
10. Decorate For the Season
If you’re selling your house before Christmas, present to your buyers how your home looks at Christmastime. Add a wreath, a bough winding up the stair rail, the smell of pine incense and presents around the tree.
11. Hold An Open House
Ensure that your home looks its best for the Open House event. Most real estate agents prefer that the owner stay away for that day to allow them to show the house without additional commentary.
12. Post Open-House Review
Review the feedback from the Open House experience to determine if a change in price is advisable or if changes in staging can make a difference in the home’s appeal. These actions can help to bring a faster offer from interested buyers.