 Pull
out all the stops for fast home sale
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 Dear
Real Estate Adviser,
I need to sell my home in about two months. What other options do
I have besides a Realtor charging me 6 percent commission? Do you
have any tips on marketing it?
-- Hugo Yurway
 Dear
Hugo,
Time's a wasting, so let's get right to the point. Two of the fastest,
sans-broker methods, the
home auction and sale to a "cash
for your home" operation, are both quick and viable and usually
do the trick within two months. But, as in most fast-sale situations,
your net proceeds will likely suffer.
The for-sale-by-owner, or FSBO, route usually takes
a little longer than a brokered sale, although FSBO sellers can
now pay a fee to get their homes listed on the Multiple Listing
Service, or MLS, alongside agency housing inventory. If you have
to sell fast and haven't done a FSBO before, this may not be your
most expedient path.
Often a fast sale simply boils down to good pricing. Though you're averse to using an agent, an experienced one can help you establish a marketing strategy and set a price that's based on comparable sales and neighborhood history, especially with your short sales window. And the higher the commission, the more motivation your agent has to market it aggressively, especially under a 60-day contract.
The way a home is staged also drives speed of sale.
Clean and declutter your place to a point where it
has an open feel that allows potential buyers to envision their
lives there. If you're using the Internet, make sure you use clear,
crisp photos that flatter the place. For this, you may need the
services of a pro or at least a camera-savvy friend. Store away
excess furnishings. Keep the place dusted, the mirrors cleaned.
Crate your pets or find a sitter for them. A fresh coat of neutral-colored
paint in strategic areas is an inexpensive way for you to show the
place has been cared for. It wouldn't hurt to put out a nice table
setting and fresh flowers. Light a couple of candles or bake some
bread for a more-homey smell. Groom the yard, and plant a flat or
two of blooming flowers.
Better yet, if it's at all practical for you to move out before you show the home, do so. A house always appears more spacious when empty or near empty.
With your two-month time frame, you probably don't
have time to do a kitchen or bathroom remodel. But if these areas
are in need of updating and upgrading, consider offering the buyer
a credit toward them or a redecorating rebate as part of the package.
Most buyers will want to apply their own tastes to these rooms,
anyway. Further, you may want to offer to help with closing costs
if that will help seal the deal.
And price the place below the next rounded number. For example, $197,500 sounds better than $200,000. If you still can't sell it, consider a rent-to-own arrangement or straight rental, although the latter can be a real headache if you're going to be an absentee owner.
In this current sales environment, you've got to pull out all the stops to make your place psychologically and physically desirable from the first day it is shown, especially if you need a quick sale.
I wish you success with your sale and your move.
To ask a question of the Real Estate Adviser, go
to the "Ask the Experts"
page, and select "buying, selling a home" as the topic.
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