In a market as hot as this, why is your house still sitting on the market?
My friend just bought a house sight unseen for $400K over asking price, closing two days later, $200K above the list price. Yet, another friend has had her house sitting on the market for almost a month. In a market this hot, it leaves sellers like her feeling bewildered. It’s frustrating when the place you’ve called home for so many years isn’t getting the attention you believe it deserves. Social media videos capture long lines at open houses, yet my friend isn’t getting the same traction.
So, where’s her contract? What went wrong?
We’re here to help you sell your Bay Area home. Here are some tips, tricks, and advice to help you successfully sell your property in this competitive market.
For more on how to sell your house fast in the Bay Area, visit:
👉 Sell Your House Fast
1) Get GREAT Help
Finding the right help can make or break the selling process. As mentioned earlier, I have two friends who are both trying to sell their homes. One friend chose a novice realtor, eager to prove himself but overly compensating with a “know-it-all” attitude. The other went with a seasoned investor. Who do you think made the right choice?
To answer this question: Do your homework and don’t be afraid to ask questions. What are the pros and cons of each approach? In the end, my friend who partnered with a direct home buyer with a proven track record closed in just a week.
If you’re considering working with an investor, check out our page to learn more about how we buy homes:
👉 How We Buy Houses
2) Don’t Make Too Many Improvements
Too often, we see over-improved properties. The problem? Not everyone has the same taste. In business, they say: “KISS — Keep it simple, stupid.” Don’t overwork the canvas. Keep your design clean and neutral. Throw out any clutter, but don’t overspend on upgrades. Most buyers want to add their own custom touches, so leaving some work to be done becomes a selling point that excites buyers.
3) Make Necessary Improvements
Don’t leave that leak in the basement! The foundation and structural elements of the property need to be intact. If you know the roof or HVAC system needs replacing, doing it now will cost less than the price cut a buyer may demand later.
4) An Outpatient Facelift
Give your home a little pep—clean it up! Fresh paint and updated landscaping are the most cost-effective ways to boost your return. Make sure you address the home as a whole and uniformly. Don’t focus only on the floors while leaving the walls in need of a new coat of paint.
The last two are of the utmost importance. Often, a reason people skip out on working with a realtor is the requirement to keep your home immaculately clean at all times. Forget it if you have toddlers like my second friend, who is struggling to get her house sold. While it can cost a pretty penny to hire a stager, it’s always an option. Remember: less is more.
For more help on preparing your home for sale and maximizing its appeal, check out our full guide:
👉 Sell Your House Fast
5) Pricing Matters
If you’re like me and get pulled into these reality real estate TV shows, you might find it fascinating how clients settle on a price point. I’ve always found it odd that buyers are drawn to the $599,999 price point versus $600,000. It’s a trick of the trade that doesn’t seem to go away. The reasoning is simple: round numbers are often cut-off points for people working within a budget. Pricing just below a whole number, like $599,999, tends to attract more traffic.
Your price should align with the comps in your area. If you’re priced $300 over the average price per square foot, buyers will want to know why. If your advertising efforts aren’t causing a flood of showings, you’re probably priced too high.
To learn more about pricing your home for the Bay Area market, read our blog on setting the right price for your property:
👉 Sell Your House Fast
6) Every Property Will Sell — That’s a Guarantee
There is a buyer for every property. If you find yourself hitting a wall, give us a call at (510) 800-1662, and we’ll provide you with a fair cash offer today. For more information on how our cash offers work, visit our page on selling your home as-is:
👉 Get Your Cash Offer
