Buyers Will Text

There are countless reasons that buyers choose one home or another, but one thing is guaranteed: the final decision comes down to emotion. When selling your home, it's essential to do everything you can to help prospective buyers love the property and "see themselves" there.

Even if they are looking at many other properties, the one that resonates with them on a deeper level is the one most likely to finally close the deal. Luckily, you don't have to be a mind-reader to be successful in selling your home. With a few basic "best practices," you'll find yourself with big advantages in the market.

• Get Excited About Staging
  Staging is one of the most valuable advantages anyone can have for positioning a home to move. A well-staged house sells up to 88% faster than one that has only been tidied up. Although in-person staging is worth it, there's a low-cost alternative — virtual staging — that produces a similar effect using enhanced photographs of a home's interior.
  
  
• Dive into Curb Appeal
  Aside from location (location, location!), curb appeal is the most potent asset you can have on your side. It forms the first impression that would-be buyers will carry with them all throughout the process. Luckily, there are fast and relatively easy ways to do it: Power-washing exterior walls, a fresh coat of paint on walls and doors, and a little bit of landscaping.
  
  
• Let There Be Light
  Light conveys an instant subconscious message. If buyers visit a space that seems too dark, they will imagine it as cramped, dreary, and smaller than it is. In advance of photography or any open house, replace your current light bulbs with more luminous ones. Don't be afraid to add lamps and fixtures throughout a home — and make full use of natural light where you have it.
  
  
• Look into Energy Efficiency
  Energy-efficient fixtures, appliances, and temperature control systems are attractive to buyers since they lower a home's total cost of ownership. Electricity is one of the biggest household bills, so showing that yours is lower than the neighborhood norm will help your property stand out. A professional energy audit can provide concrete proof of the benefits.
  
  
• Drum Up Buzz
  A lot of old-fashioned real estate marketing has gone out the window in the last few years. Still, there are creative ways to combine today's online marketing with other clever projects. Just to give one example, consider holding a garage sale as you're ramping up to put a home on the market. Not only will you declutter (helping your staging), but you may meet potential buyers.
  
  
• Spend Time in the Kitchen
  Selling your home becomes a lot simpler if you have a sleek, modern kitchen to show off. Open-plan kitchens are growing popular, but just about any layout can be compelling if you invest in new appliances. A matching set of appliances might cost as little as a few hundred dollars, but it will take a big worry off the minds of your prospective buyers.
  
  
• Clean and Declutter
  Getting items off the floor is one thing, but your best bet is to empty out the closets as best you can by moving items into storage. When closets are at least 50% empty, they look a lot more spacious. As for cleaning, it's a good idea to go the extra mile. For example, steam clean carpets, drapes, and upholstery, especially if you have pets.

Once buyers start telling their friends about a home, they are all but committed. These tips will help you unleash the "wow factor" and get those texts flying faster.

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