Four steps to a faster home sale

You’re ready to move on. Maybe your house is too small, you’re moving because of a job, or you want to be closer to family and friends. According to the National Association of Realtors, those are the three top reasons for selling a home.

Like all home sellers, you want your home to sell fast. Here are four ways to help accomplish that:

Set a realistic price. Many home buyers want to ‘test the market’ by setting a high price on their home. But most buyers won’t even make an offer on a property that’s priced out of line with similar homes in the area. You definitely do not want to leave money on the table. But the strategy of setting a too-high price on a home just to see what happens isn’t a viable strategy. Properties with inflated prices stay on the market longer than average and often sell for less than homes that are fairly priced to start with.

Don’t put up the sign until the house is ready. Even though you’re ready to sell, is your house ready to be shown? Fix the leaky faucet, repaint the dingy dining room and replace the broken front step before you list the house. You’ve lived with these annoyances for years, but these problems can distract a buyer.

Make the house easy to show. Keep your schedule flexible. Although it’s inconvenient to tidy up on a Tuesday night, it’s in your best interests to make it as easy as possible for people who may want to purchase your home.

Leave home. When buyers view your house, you should be anywhere but at home. Prospective buyers will feel uncomfortable looking through a home when you’re present, and they want to be free to discuss the pros and cons of the house without fear of offending the owners.