When you put your home on the market, you are no longer the homeowner; you are the home seller. And as a seller, your goals and desires are a bit different than those of a homeowner. In most cases, home sellers want three things: A quick sale for a great price with as little hassle as possible.

But within those goals, one of them often comes out on top. In fact, you could say that if you achieve one of these things, the others will just come naturally. Of course, we’re talking about achieving a quick sale.

Here are a few things you can do to increase the likelihood of selling your home fast.

A Mindset Change

Sellers must adopt the mindset of the buyer and see the home through a buyer’s eyes. Overpriced properties run the risk of incurring excess carrying costs and extended time on the market. Outdated homes full of clutter and mess are not appealing to the average buyer. They put too much onus on the buyer to imagine themselves in your space, which will often result in your home getting passed up without a second thought. Think about what you’d want to see in a property you were considering to buy.

Do you have specific home-selling questions? Here are a few more posts you might find helpful:

• How to Sell a Ski-in, Ski-out Property in Park City
• Selling Your Park City Home with Discretion
• How to Sell Your Park City Vacation Home When You Can’t Be There

Don’t Fall for These Home Pricing Myths

We can’t understate the importance of getting the price right when listing your home for sale. Every other part of the transaction hinges on it. That’s why it’s important to make fact-based decisions with expert guidance, because there are a lot of pricing myths out there.

Here are a few you should know about:

It’s always better to price above market value; I can lower the price at a later time.

While technically, you can price high and then reduce the price later, the question is whether you really want to? Most activity on your home will likely happen in the first couple of weeks of it being listed. If you price too high, you might scare buyers away and miss out on that critical period. Too many price reductions can also send the message that something might be wrong with the home.

If I can’t get the price I want, I should relist it at a later date. The market will catch up.

Although we can predict market trends to some degree, there is no guarantee that the market will behave as you expect on a later day. If your home is listed too high and you think you can simply take it off the market and list it in a year for the price you want, that might not work out in your favor. Worse yet, you would have also waited a full year versus selling now with a better pricing strategy.

Timing is a big part of selling your home. Learn more about the pros and cons of selling your home at various times of the year with these posts next:

• When is the Best Time to Sell a Home in Park City?
• Is it a Good Idea to Sell My Park City Home in the Winter?
• How to Sell Your Park City Home This Summer

Pricing at or below market value is leaving money on the table.

If you’re worried about leaving money on the table if you price “too low”, consider this: a well-priced property can often create more excitement and activity in the first two weeks of listing. It can result in multiple offers and bidding wars in some cases. Additionally, when a home is priced well, the perception of value is also greater, which means buyers will feel a sense of urgency and be less likely to be picky about small details.

I won’t even entertain offers that aren’t close to my list price.

Many sellers fall into the mindset of, “I won’t accept anything less than $X.” That way of thinking could lead to missed opportunities. Consider this: For many buyers, the initial offer is just a starting point. It’s a place to begin negotiations. If the initial offer is not close to the list price, that doesn’t mean you should get offended and refuse entirely. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to get the best outcome for themselves. Also, remember that there is more to offers than just the price. Offers can include other layers that might make them more favorable to you.

When it comes to pricing, your real estate agent can explain the best strategy and negotiation tactics. You’ll likely get an idea of this at the initial listing presentation. What else do we cover at this first meeting? Read our blog to find out exactly what to expect from a listing presentation.

Is Home Staging Worth It?

In short, yes. In most cases, staged homes sell faster and for more money.

The second component of a fast and profitable home sale comes down to preparation and how your home is perceived by buyers. In truth, home staging can go way beyond arranging furniture and hanging paintings on the wall. Good staging begins with good home preparation.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The first impression is the only impression.

You never have a second chance to make a first impression. No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. Spruce up your home’s exterior with shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100% return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You might be using it as a convenient place to stash your coat and keys. But, when you’re selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench or a vase of fresh-cut flowers.

Learn more about making your home stand out for buyers with these posts next:

• How to Create Curb Appeal in Park City
• Do You Need to Stage a Home to Sell it in Park City?

Some updates pay off more than others.

Quick fixes to your home before selling always pay off. Massive remodels, not so much. Do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some new window treatments. Replace dated door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout to get started.

One renovation that almost always pays off in spades is in the kitchen. We often estimate that kitchen renovations can recoup about 85% of the cost in the selling price. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops, where a buyer may want to knock off a significant amount from the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style.

Looking for more advice on renovating your home before selling it? Read our post: Should I Update Before Selling My Home in Park City?

Take the home out of your house.

One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. This includes family photos, memorabilia collections and personal keepsakes. Arranging your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space. This is where a professional home stager comes in!

By decluttering and de-personalizing, you’re creating a beautiful blank canvas for staging. From here, you can think of furniture placement that maximizes the space and beautiful decor that will help buyers envision themselves living in your home.

The Easiest Way to Sell Your Home Quickly? Work with an Expert

Selling your home is not a decision you make lightly. The results of your sale could have an impact on your family for years to come. The best way to ensure you get the best results possible is to work with an experienced local real estate team.

Here at CFH, we’ve been one of the top Park City real estate teams for more than 25 years. We have helped countless homeowners buy and sell properties in the area, and if you’re thinking about purchasing a property or selling your home in Park City, we’d love to share how we can make the process fast, easy, and profitable.

Get in touch today by filling out the form below, calling us at 435-647-8083, or emailing us directly at info@CFHparkcity.com.