Five Things to Help Your Home Stand Out in a Competitive Market

When it comes to selling your home, especially in a competitive market, making sure your home stands out is essential. In markets that are fast paced, houses come and go constantly, so standing out to prospective buyers is incredibly important. There are dozens of different ways you can make your home stand out in a competitive market, so it can sometimes be hard to know where to start. Over the last 17 years, Jill Rives, Broker of Rives Real Estate Group, has gained extensive experience in market conditions and has a firm grasp on what helps a house stand out in a competitive market. Below is a list of five things that can help your home stand out in a competitive market.

1. Paint & Repairs A fresh coat of paint can work wonders when it comes to standing out in a competitive market. Painting your home a light, neutral color will help potential buyers to visualize themselves living there. Many sellers make the mistake of not putting on a fresh coat of paint, often rationalizing that the new buyer will want to do this. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most buyers today want a move in ready home with little to no work. Make sure walls, doors, baseboards and other trim are clean and freshly painted. Any carpet or damaged flooring should be repaired or replaced as well. Actually, any repairs that you are aware of should be completed prior to listing your home for sale. This helps buyers visualize themselves living there as opposed to all the money they would need to spend to be comfortable.

2. Cleaning & De-Cluttering One of the most important things that you can do to help your home stand out in a competitive market is to de-clutter and have it professionally cleaned. When a potential buyer walks into your home, they want to be able to envision themselves living in the space. Having clutter built up and visible to buyers can hinder their viewing and can make it harder for buyers to imagine their items in the space. Try to tuck away as many personal items as possible to allow buyers to walk through your home as a neutral environment, not one littered with family photos and personal items. The cleaner and more pared down your home is, the better — particularly when it comes to showing potential buyers! Keeping the home looking its absolute best shows pride of ownership. It also indicates that seller has been diligent in tending to the house over the years and has most likely addressed all issues as they have arisen.

3. Staging & Photography Staging and photography go hand-in-hand when it comes to selling your home. Having professional photos taken to showcase your property can help attract potential buyers to your listing, and proper staging can help to impress those buyers if they choose to walk through your property. Often times, the photographs on www.har.com make the first impression of the home. It is pertinent that those photos be of the best quality and be strategically sequenced for increasing buyer interest. Staging your home will allow buyers to see how furniture fits in the space and can help potential buyers visualize living in the home themselves. Having professional photos taken after staging can help set the stage for online viewings and will help attract people to your listing.

4. Curb Appeal First impressions are very important and can have a huge impact on your listing if you are trying to stand out in a fast paced, competitive market. The curb appeal of your home is going to be a potential buyer’s first impression; therefore it needs to make an impact! Make sure the grass is cut, weeds are pulled, and any other items, such as bikes or toys, are tucked away out of sight. If you are trying to sell your home in the winter, make sure you have a recent summertime photo of the exterior of your home to help potential buyers visualize what the home looks like year-round. If it is summertime, add some extra beauty to your front yard by adding colorful flowers. Having great curb appeal leaves the buyer wanting to go inside to see more.

5. Price Finally, when it comes to standing out in a competitive market, price is one of the most important factors to consider. In a fast-paced market, pricing is key to a quick sale. When determining what price you should list your home, Rives Real Estate Group can do the research for you. It is important to look at comparable homes in your area to ensure you’re entering the market with an appropriate listing price. If your house is priced too high, it may be overlooked by potential buyers which will result in your listing sitting on the market with no offers coming in. If your house is priced too low, you may receive many offers, however you won’t get the right price for the value of your home.