How to Sell Your House at the Worst Possible Time

How to Sell Your House at the Worst Possible Time. Try a virtual home staging consultation or virtual staging. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Selling your house at a less-than-ideal time, whether it’s a slow real estate market, during a global crisis, or simply during the off-season, can be challenging but not impossible. Here are some strategies to maximize your chances of making a sale:

  1. Price it Right: Get a competitive market analysis (CMA) from a reputable real estate agent. This will provide you with recent sales of similar homes in your area. You may need to price your home slightly lower than the competition to attract potential buyers.

  2. Enhance Curb Appeal: First impressions matter. Refresh landscaping, power wash the exterior, and make sure the entrance is inviting.

  3. Stage the Interior: Make your home look spacious and appealing. Declutter, depersonalize, and consider hiring a professional home stager.

  4. Flexible Showing Times: Be as accommodating as possible. The more people you get through the door, the higher your chances of finding a buyer.

  5. Offer Incentives: Offer to cover some of the closing costs, provide a home warranty, or leave behind certain appliances or furniture.

  6. Highlight Unique Features: Focus on what makes your home stand out, whether it’s a newly renovated kitchen, proximity to local amenities, or a beautiful garden.

  7. Virtual Tours: Especially important during times when in-person showings are limited (e.g., during a pandemic). High-quality photos and a virtual tour can make a big difference.

  8. Negotiate with Flexibility: Be prepared to negotiate on price, closing dates, repairs, or other contingencies.

  9. Promote the Property: Use social media, local ads, and flyers. Ensure your real estate agent lists your property on major online portals.

  10. Stay Informed: Stay updated on the local market and be ready to adjust your strategy based on feedback from showings.

  11. Get Inspected Early: Consider getting a pre-inspection. This can reassure buyers and give you a chance to fix issues before they become deal-breakers.

  12. Maintain the Property: Continue to keep the home clean, lawns mowed, and everything in good repair.

  13. Be Patient: Understand that it might take longer to sell during tough times. But with persistence and flexibility, you can increase your chances of a successful sale.

Remember, there’s always someone looking to buy a home, even in challenging times. Your job is to make your property as attractive as possible to these potential buyers.

Think Out of the Box

How to Sell Your House at the Worst Possible Time. Try a virtual home staging consultation or virtual staging. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Think outside the box. Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash

Remember, selling a house in a challenging market requires creativity, flexibility, and resilience. It’s about finding unique ways to showcase the value of your property and make it stand out from the rest.

  1. Virtual Tours: In a digital era, creating 3D virtual tours can be an engaging way to attract potential buyers without them having to physically visit the property.

  2. Staging with a Twist: Consider using home staging techniques that evoke strong, positive emotions. Think themes or styles that might resonate with the current market sentiment.

  3. Flexible Pricing Models: Offer rent-to-own options or other flexible pricing models that may appeal to buyers in a challenging market.

  4. Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses to host open houses with a twist – maybe a wine tasting or art exhibit.

  5. Pop-Up Events: Use your space to host community events, which can draw attention to your property.

  6. Interactive Content: Create interactive content about your home such as fun quizzes or infographics that can be shared on social media.

  7. Neighborhood Ambassadors: Engage neighbors to become ambassadors for selling your home. They have a vested interest in getting great new neighbors.

  8. Storytelling: Share the history and stories associated with your home. It might appeal to certain buyers who value a connection with the past.

  9. Incentives: Offer incentives like covering the first few months of utilities or including some pieces of furniture in the sale.

  10. Seller Financing: In tough financial times, consider offering seller financing to potential buyers who may be struggling to get traditional financing.

  11. Eco-Upgrades: Highlight or invest in eco-friendly upgrades which can be a selling point for environmentally conscious buyers.

  12. Themed Open Houses: Host themed open houses – “Retro Night”, “Garden Brunch” – to draw in different crowds and generate buzz.

  13. Highlight Future Potential: If your home has untapped potential (like an unfinished basement), provide illustrations or mockups of what it could be transformed into.

  14. Engage Influencers: Partner with local social media influencers to showcase your home on their platforms.

  15. Charity Collaboration: Offer to donate a portion of the sale to a local charity. This not only gives back but can also be a drawing point for some buyers.

 

Get Help From a Pro

You don’t have to do it alone. A professional home staging consultation is the best first step in selling your home fast and for more, regardless of circumstances.

Put Together a Great Team

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By Mary Ann Benoit

President- Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Owner- Arctic Paradise Bed and Breakfast Artist- Stained Glass, Jewelry and Alcohol Ink Art Wildlife Biologist Director- Kaleido World Percussion and Dance Company Director- Tavus Dance Company of Alaska Lover of music, art, dance and animals.

22 comments

  1. It’s a challenging time to be selling and you have provided great insight into how to make it easier. The idea of a virtual staging consultation is ideal

    1. Thanks Jeanne:) I don’t think a lot of people know what it is or that it is a great option available to them, especially right now.

    1. Thank you! I hope people don’t get too discouraged right now and realize they can still sell, even during these trying times. Sometimes you are just not in a position to wait…but it will all be OK.

  2. Virtual staging is such a great option to get top dollar. People just can’t visualize how the space can look and function.

    1. Thanks Carla! Yes, it looks great, can be cheaper than in person staging and is definitely a safer way to go right now! Thanks for reading.

  3. Great post Mary Ann, with a husband who is a realtor, I am living this every day. So many of your ideas are helpful and it’s a great post on the topic, that’s for sure! Wishing you the best.

    1. Thank you Amy! That is great to know! I wish him all the best during this difficult time and hope he is staying safe! I am happy to help if he needs it.

  4. Great tips!! I know someone who just decided to sell one of their homes in order to hang onto their store. Good to know how many options there are to home staging. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks Deborah! Hope everything works out for them and glad if this is helpful:) There is always a way if you just think outside the box.

  5. My parents are getting an offer today on their home!!! It must be so exciting for you when your clients get offers.

    1. That’s wonderful! Yes, as a home stager as well as a designer, I am always watching and waiting for that offer to come in and it is exciting when it happens!

  6. Hi Mary Ann: This is such a timely post! With a brother who has been a real estate agent for 30+ years and a nephew who is now in the business with him, I can imagine how much your ideas might help them. I am going to share your post with them so they know that virtual staging is available.

    Thanks for thinking *outside the box* or…. as Apple’s famous tagline says, you are on the forefront of how to #ThinkDifferent to help realtors during this difficult time.

    1. Thank you Leslie! That would be wonderful if you share and I hope it is helpful for them:). These days we all have to #ThinkDifferent. It will all work out!

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