47 Ways to Make Your House Sell Faster in a Shifting Market!

Higher interest rates, lower buyer activity, sellers reducing their prices, more homes on the market and for longer — what does all this mean? The Boise real estate market is experiencing … something!

What's Happening in the Boise Real Estate Market

After years of homes selling very quickly and for top dollar, it seems the party is over. This doesn’t mean that homes won’t sell. It just means realtors and sellers have to do more to make it happen. 

Although never an option for us, some agents and their clients have been a little lax the last few years in preparing a house for sale, taking the attitude that it will sell regardless. And although maybe not for as much as it could, almost any home will sell when the market is hot!

Why Preparation Matters More Than Ever 

When the market starts to cool and buyers become fearful and hesitant, they start to be pretty picky! Every buyer has imagination and vision during a seller’s market. During a buyer’s market, not-so-much.

So we’ve put together a high-level list of things you can do to help your house sell faster and for more money in any market! As always, if you have specific questions about your house, give us a call at (208) 327-2127! 

Simple Ways to Make a Lasting Impression

Throughout the House

1. Walk through the house with a buyer’s eye and make a list of any repairs or touch-ups that need to be done; buyers don't want to go to the trouble of hiring someone to fix those items
2. Evaluate your flooring; check for worn carpet, cracked tile, or dated vinyl and replace, if necessary
3. Put away family photos and personal items
4. Ensure it's easy to walk through each area of your house
5. Fill and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls, ensure you're using the same sheen and that your paint hasn't faded so the touch-ups blend
6. Repaint walls a neutral color to brighten the house and make it look larger
7. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper
8. Clean or replace light and plumbing fixtures — updating fixtures is one of the easiest ways to modernize
9. Have the house professionally cleaned and the windows washed inside and out
10. Use plants as warm pops of color that bring life into your house
11. Do you have a loft or attic? Ensure it's staged to give buyers ideas about its potential use
12. Remove or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires
13. Remove all smoke and pet odors, avoid masking with heavy air fresheners — this can be a big one, call us for help!
14. Repair or replace loose handrails, door knobs, cabinet doors, and fixtures
15. Remove all clutter and unnecessary furniture from each room; take a photo and imagine you're the buyer looking at the room — would this photo of this room make you want to buy this house? Look online at other listings, would yours stand out?
16. Create a spacious-feeling entry area by removing items that close it in or make it dark
17. Open the curtains and pull up the shades to let in the light for showings
18. Create a positive mood before you leave the house for a showing by turning on all the lights
19. Keep your house dusted, vacuumed, and picked up
20. Air out your house for 30 minutes before showings
21. Lightly spray the house with essential oils so it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives
22. Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, and basements
23. Have a family ‘game plan’ to get the house ready quickly before a showing

In the kitchen

1. Microwave a small dish of vanilla 20 minutes before a showing and place it in an out-of-the-way place
2. Ensure the trash has been taken out and dishes are clean and put away
3. Ensure your kitchen and bathrooms are spotlessly clean
4. Put away small appliances to enhance your counter space; clear everything off the refrigerator
5. In the bedrooms
6. Create a spa-like primary suite with soft pillows, neutral colors, and a comfy chair
7. Depersonalize bedrooms by replacing family photos with art or simple decor
8. Make sure beds are made and linens and pillows are clean
9. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put in storage

In the Bathrooms

1. Wipe down sinks and shower areas after each use and polish chrome fixtures
2. Recaulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white
3. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower
4. Replace old shower curtains and keep the tub and shower area clean
5. Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps and remove used ones before showings

Outside and the Garage

1. Remove toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and trash from the yard
2. Paint all entry doors and touch up trim if faded or peeling
3. Make sure the garage door opens easily — repair and paint if necessary; remove or organize garage items
4. Prune trees and shrubs so they don't encroach on sidewalks or rub against the house; edge the lawn for crisp curb appeal and keep it mowed and raked
5. Ensure the front door and screen work perfectly; if the screen hides a beautiful door, remove and store it
6. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway, and patio
7. Clean and shine all hardware and accessories — door knobs, lights, mail box, address numbers, etc
8. Ensure the doorbell is in good working order
9. Pressure wash sidewalks, driveways, and the exterior of the house to remove dust, debris, and cobwebs
10. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, garages and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition
11. Buy a new large doormat and place it at the front door, choose one with a simple, welcoming design

And always remember, if you or your friends or family have real estate needs, we are your Boise, Idaho and North End real estate experts. Use our tools to start the search for your next dream home.