The Best Way to Quickly Sell Your Home at Top Price
My home that I sold.
Photo by Glenn Stok
A Proven Approach to Fast and High-Priced Home Selling
Homebuyers always look for a beautiful clean place with signs that it was taken care of over the years. So you can sell your home at top price to buyers who want a move-in condition to avoid doing a lot of work and are willing to reach an agreement fast before someone else beats them to it.
Many homes on the market are in poor condition, so buyers are willing to spend more money when they find a gem and see value in a property.
My real estate agent taught me about a few inexpensive home improvements that helped to get the best price with a quick sale.
Update the Lighting Fixtures
The first thing my real estate agent told me to do was to replace the chandelier in my dining room. She explained that a good-looking replacement is not expensive, and the investment for this would help attract buyers.
I had an outdated lighting fixture all the years I had lived there. A new one adds value to one's home.
I found a beautiful and expensive-looking chandelier at Home Depot for only $350 and installed it that same day. I didn't want to wait for anything because we were scheduled soon to start showing the house.
Lighting fixtures are inexpensive to replace, and are one of the first things people notice.
Photo by Glenn Stok
Paint All Walls a Neutral Color
One bedroom in my house had blue walls. My real estate agent told me to repaint it with neutral colors.
Once again, I listened to her and quickly painted it. I used Linen White for the walls and Dove White for the trim. Simple. I used that same combination throughout the rest of the house, so it was a no-brainer, and now it all matches.
I knew it worked since neutral colors make it easy to furnish a home. You never have to worry about mismatching furniture colors with the rest of a room.
I painted it myself at the cost of around $100 for the paint and supplies.
You can find neutral colors that offer a balance between a cool and warm atmosphere.1
Remove Faded Window Shades, Blinds, and Curtains
I had some shades on the windows in my kitchen breakfast-area that had yellowed over the years. Worn and yellowing shades create an eyesore, and they distract buyers.
No Shades Are Better Than Worn Shades
My real estate agent explained that no shades are better than worn-looking shades to make an excellent presentation. Merely removing those shades made the room brighter and more inviting. So there was no need to replace them.
That suggestion to remove the shades was understandably effective, as you can see in the picture below. I would have enjoyed many years of a more delightful view of the yard if I had removed them earlier.
There was no need for shades there anyway since it was the rear of the house, and I had a secluded yard.
My breakfast area with an open view, now that the faded shades are gone. I also had to replace the hazy window glass.
Photo by Glenn Stok
Keep Appliances in Good Condition or Replace Them
If your dishwasher or refrigerator are old, it's worth replacing them. They are not as expensive as you might think, and having new appliances in the kitchen attracts homebuyers.
I had always taken great care of everything. I maintained the heating and electric systems throughout the years, made minor repairs to keep up with normal wear and tear, and even replaced the roof.
I also bought a new dishwasher and refrigerator shortly before selling my house. The cost of these things comes back many times over when selling.2
Respond Favorably to Your Buyer’s Requests
People usually make an offer contingent on the seller performing particular tasks. These things tend to be simple changes that are important to them.
I recognized the feeling behind it and had no problem as long as they were reasonable requests. I know, because I made similar requests when I looked for a new home.
The little things that my buyer requested were a no-brainer. I realized that if it didn't cost much, I might as well do it to hook the buyer into a purchase.
What Are Reasonable Buyer Requests?
My buyer asked me to replace three hazy windows you may have noticed in the photo above. I could never clean them since the haze was between the double panes. So taking care of that was a no-brainer to sell the house.
A local glazier gave me a very reasonable quote. Since I had to wait until I knew the buyer would sign a contract, the glazier agreed to honor his quoted price later. Of course, I got that agreement in writing.
My buyer also found one door was loose on its hinges and didn't close properly. That was an easy fix that I could do myself by placing longer screws through the hinges to secure them better. Even if you feel you need to call a carpenter, it's worth this simple, low-cost repair.
It's reasonable for buyers to request repairing anything that's a health hazard or safety concern.3
Buyers want to be sure that nothing is going to break after they move in. If they find something on the verge of failure, they may ask you to replace it. If it's a small job, do it—but only after a contract is signed. The attorneys can always add a clause to the contract stating what will be done.
Key Takeaway
Since I made the minor changes my real estate agent brought to my attention, I found it was easy to sell my home at a great price. The improvements made it evident that it was well-maintained, which created a lot of interest from buyers looking for a new home.
I quickly received several offers, and I accepted one of them. You might say I was lucky, but I know what works to appeal to buyers: Give them what they want.
I had a signed contract in three weeks because I followed my agent's advice about the simple upgrades it needed for a quick sale at a great price.
References
- Presley Attardo. (September 30, 2020). "26 of the Best Paint Colors for Selling a House" - HomeLight.com
- Daniel DiClerico. (February 09, 2016). "8 Ways to Boost Your Home Value" - Consumer Reports
- Lindsay Hiron-Barrie. (March 12, 2020). "Reasonable Requests after Home Inspection | What's Fair?" - WiseMoveAZ at Realty ONE Group
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Glenn Stok
