If you are selling your house in a bad neighbourhood, there are certain actions you can take to make it easier to sell the property.
Work with the Right Estate Agent
Working with the right estate agent can help you if you are trying to list a hard-to-sell property. Choosing the right agent who has experience with the local area can help you a great deal. The ideal agent will understand how to market your house and how you can get the best price.
Estate agents who have knowledge of the local area can bring in knowledge from former sales to help you with realistic price expectations. They can also offer guidance about actions you could take to sell your house faster.
Set a Reasonable Price
Experts recommend balancing price, location and condition when selling a property. Thus, if your property is not in an ideal location, you may need to compensate in the other two areas. You can make your property better value for money for prospective buyers either by making upgrades to your home so that it stands out against the other properties on the market, or by offering a lower price.
Boost your Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the first thing that prospective buyers will see when they visit. It is important that the front of your home is well-maintained. Depending on the type of property, this could mean different things. For example, if you have a house, make sure that your front garden, patio or driveway is cleaned and neat with any grass freshly cut. Think about the panes of your doors and windows to make sure they are clean; you could even add a fresh coat of paint to make them look brand new. If you have a garage, make sure the door is in good condition. You could go the extra mile by adding lights or small plants to make your home look even more welcoming from the moment prospective buyers arrive.
Stage your Home
Before inviting prospective buyers in to view your home, make sure you think about how your home is being presented. The first thing you will need to do is ensure that your property is looking as clean as possible – this is not just on the surface but taking into account hard-to-reach areas and fabrics such as curtains. This is the time to get rid of any unpleasant odours and make sure that your home undergoes a deep clean.
Another thing you will need to do is declutter. Make sure to throw away or give away any items that you no longer use or that are no longer of value. At this stage, you will also need to depersonalise your home. When inviting in prospective buyers, they will want to imagine their lives in your home – it is more difficult to do this if you have personal items dotted around the property.
Stage your furniture to maximise light and space in your home. Think about spacing between items of furniture so that nothing seems cramped or small. Put mirrors opposite windows to maximise natural light and use lamps to bring light to dark corners.
There are certain home improvements that don’t cost a fortune but make a big impact such as applying a coat of fresh paint and choosing a neutral colour scheme.
Highlight the Positive Features
If you are listing your property, make sure to focus on its positives. For example, the size of the property, any energy-efficient appliances, recent renovation or outdoor space. Even if your property is in an undesirable area, you should focus on anything that could be viewed as positive about the location – for example, advise prospective buyers about the nicest spots in the local area, the best schools, the most picturesque locations and any recommendations about local businesses or entertainment opportunities.
