How to Sell Your Old City House Fast

Itching to move on from your old city house in Memphis, TN? If so, you may be asking yourself, “How can I sell my house fast?”

Maybe you’ve got your eye on a new place, or perhaps life’s taking you on a new adventure out of town. Whatever your reasons, the last thing you want is to be stuck wondering, “Who will buy my house?” because the selling process drags on.

Here are some quick and easy ways to sell your old home fast – and for top dollar.

Declutter and Depersonalize Your Space

Buyers want to envision themselves in your home, not be reminded that it’s someone else’s. Start by clearing out any clutter that could take away from your home’s features. This might include removing bulky furniture and excess belongings from closets and storage areas.

Next, remove personal items like family photos and distinctive decorations. A neutral environment allows buyers to project their visions onto the space. This increases the likelihood of a quick sale.

Make Quick Fixes

Attend to minor repairs that could detract from your home’s value. This includes tightening loose knobs, fixing dripping taps, and patching up scuffs on the walls. These might seem like small issues, but they can give the impression that you’ve been neglecting home maintenance.

Replacing broken fixtures, such as cabinet handles and light fixtures, can also refresh the space without significant investment. These improvements show potential buyers that the home is well-cared for and move-in ready, making it more attractive to buy. 

Stage Your Home

Staging is the process of placing furniture and decor to showcase your home’s potential. You can hire a professional stager to optimize your space, or you can do it yourself by following basic staging principles.

Focus on maximizing space, enhancing lighting, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Strategically-placed furniture and decor can help define rooms and suggest uses, making it easier for buyers to imagine living there.

Well-staged homes not only attract more buyers but often sell faster and for higher prices.

Enhance Curb Appeal

Your home’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, so make it count. Simple enhancements like mowing the lawn, planting flowers, or adding a new mailbox can make a big difference. Consider painting a bold color for your front door or installing new outdoor lighting to improve visibility and appeal.

Clean windows, gutters, and pathways also contribute to a well-maintained look. Remember, the goal is to make buyers fall in love at first sight, compelling them to see more.

Invest in Professional Photography

The internet is the go-to tool for people looking to buy a home, with 97% of home buyers using it in their home search. Since most home buyers search online during their home-buying process, excellent photos are essential.

Professional photographers can capture the right angles and use lighting to make spaces appear larger and more inviting. They can also highlight unique features of your home that might appeal to buyers.

Use these photos in online listings, social media, and marketing materials. High-quality visuals are key to attracting interest and enticing buyers to visit in person.

Leverage Social Media

If you want to sell your house fast, you need to amplify your marketing efforts. Leverage the power of social media to broaden your reach beyond traditional online listings. Post high-quality photos and engaging descriptions of your property on various channels.

Highlight unique features or desirable aspects of the neighborhood that might draw potential buyers. Encourage friends and family to share these posts to extend your reach further. This strategy increases visibility and attracts a diverse pool of potential buyers.

Be Flexible with Showings

The more accessible your home is to potential buyers, the quicker you may find a willing buyer. Try to accommodate as many showing requests as possible, even if they’re last-minute. Keep your home tidy and ready to show at all times during the listing period.

Being flexible with your schedule and making it easy for buyers to visit can shorten the time your home spends on the local real estate market.

Price It Right

Setting the right price is crucial. Overpricing your home can deter potential buyers, leading to a stagnant listing that may require a price cut to attract interest. Conversely, pricing too low might result in a quick sale but could also mean leaving money on the table.

To find the right price, look at recent sales of comparable homes in your Memphis neighborhood. A home appraisal helps you know the fair price for your house. It takes into account your property’s condition and what buyers are willing to pay in the current market.

Proper pricing captures the attention of prospective buyers and can lead to a quicker sale at a competitive price.

Be Open to Negotiations

Show your willingness to negotiate on various aspects of the sale. Being flexible with the price, the inclusion of additional items, or terms of the sale can make a big difference.

Buyers will be more eager to close the deal if they feel like they’re getting good value and if the transaction seems fair.

Sweeten the Deal

If you want to sell your home quickly, you should find ways to make the deal irresistible to potential buyers. Some effective ways to achieve that include:

• Offering to pay closing costs
• Providing a home warranty
• Making flexible move-in arrangements
• Including high-ticket items such as appliances or outdoor equipment

By employing these strategies, you can make your home more attractive to potential buyers. This can speed up the sale process and make it smoother for everyone involved.

Why You Should Consider a Cash Buyer

When selling your Memphis house, you can go the traditional route with a real estate agent or explore with a cash buyer. Each approach has unique benefits and challenges that will impact your home-selling experience.

Here’s why you should consider selling to a cash buyer instead of using a real estate agent:

Faster Sale Process

If speed is your priority, for example, if you need to sell your home fast due to personal circumstances like a job relocation, financial need, or an inheritance situation, explore selling to a cash buyer.

Cash transactions can often close within a week or two. On the other hand, sales involving mortgage lenders can take a month or even longer due to the need for loan approvals, appraisals, and underwriting.

Savings on Fees and Commissions

Selling through a real estate agent typically involves paying a commission based on the home’s selling price. The commission rate is about 5-6% across the board.

When you sell to a cash buyer, you can avoid these agent commissions. This translates to more money in your pocket. Moreover, cash buyers often cover all closing costs, further reducing the expenses associated with selling your home.

No Need for Repairs or Renovation

Cash buyers typically buy homes as is. This means you won’t need to spend time or money on repairs or improvements before the sale. This can be particularly beneficial if your home would require major repair work to attract buyers in a traditional sale.

A cash buyer is often the simplest, most cost-effective route to take for homes that are dated, damaged, or distressed. They allow you to get quick cash and handle the necessary repairs themselves.

Reduced Complications and Uncertainty

Traditional home sales involve several conditional steps that can introduce uncertainty and delay. These include inspections, appraisals, and the buyer’s loan approval. Any issues unearthed during a home inspection or appraisal can lead to renegotiations or even scuttle the deal altogether.

Cash sales generally skip these steps, or at least simplify them. This means there’s less chance of the sale falling through.

Convenience and Simplicity

The process of selling to a cash buyer is often much more straightforward than the traditional route. These home buyers typically seek a quick close and often waive many of the contingencies standard in real estate contracts.

Consequently, cash sales involve less paperwork and fewer administrative tasks. Plus, you won’t need to deal with:

• Staging your home
• Juggling multiple showings
• Dealing with the unpredictability of buyer financing

This convenience can be a significant relief, especially if you have other pressing personal matters.

Immediate Financial Relief

If you’re in a financial pinch, selling for cash can quickly free up capital and reduce ongoing expenses like taxes, maintenance, and utilities. This is particularly attractive for sellers facing financial difficulties, probate properties, or burdensome rental properties.

Get a Fair Cash Offer for Your Old City House in Memphis, TN

If you’re in a hurry to sell your old city house, cash buyers are a viable option. While the offer might be lower than what you might achieve in the broader market, the speed and ease of a cash sale can be a significant advantage.

Feeling overwhelmed by the entire home selling process? At We Buy Houses, we buy your home exactly as it is — no need to stress about repairs or showings, and you walk away with cash in hand!

Get in touch now to receive a cash offer for your home.