Thinking about selling your home in Houston? Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation – there are countless buyers looking for a new home in the city every year, driving up demand and increasing sales.
How can you take advantage of the hot Houston real estate market as a seller? Here are some helpful home selling tips to keep in mind:
Modernize your look
Houston has one of the most robust housing markets in the country, with over 40,000 units built annually. When you put your Houston home on the market, you’re not only competing with other homes for sale in your neighborhood, but with new construction as well.
To compete with new construction, your home will need an updated look. Keep in mind that trends are constantly changing – if you haven’t changed anything in your home for the last several years, then considering a few upgrades is a smart move.
Highlight advantages of your location
No matter where you live in Houston, there’s always something about your area that you can highlight in your listing to attract more prospective buyers. If your home is close to the freeway for example, you can highlight the shorter commute. Is an elementary school, park, or golf course within walking distance? Make sure you mention that.
With Houston’s sprawling size, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” location that covers all bases. You can’t get a spacious yard and a modern condo. Finding a suburb-sized house minutes away from downtown Houston is next to impossible. Be sure to play up all of the positives about your location.
Set the right price
Houston house prices are known for being affordable, and most buyers in the city are hunting for a bargain. To sell your home fast, you will need to set a competitive price. To do this, you need to look beyond comparable home prices in your neighborhood.
Price your home too high, and your home could stay in the market for too long. Price it too low, and you’re potentially leaving money on the table. Your asking price will need to be on point to attract price-savvy buyers, so make sure you work with an experienced and knowledgeable Houston real estate agent.
Stage your home
You might not be able to change some things about your home. But with effective staging techniques, you can make your home look and feel newer, bigger, and more comfortable.
You have several options when it comes to staging. Some agents include a professional stager with their service, you can hire one yourself, or do things on your own. In case you decide to do the staging yourself, here are some of the things you can do:
- Organize your pantry – Most Houston home buyers like spacious open kitchens with adequate storage space, so make sure your kitchen pantry looks neat and organized.
- Hire a professional photographer – In a city as big as Houston, buyers will most likely start their home search online before visiting an open house, so the photos on your listing must be able to make a good first impression. A professional photographer can highlight your home’s best features, choose the best angles, and take crisp, high-definition photos. Ask your agent for recommendations.
- Declutter your closets – Houston buyers like having large closets. One simple yet effective trick to make closet space look larger is to clear any items that are on the floor.
- Buy new towels for your bathrooms – Give your bathroom a fresh, spa-like feel just by placing brand new white towels on your towel racks. It might seem simple, but it creates a big impact in any bathroom.
Time your sale
The busiest home buying season in Houston usually begins in early spring all the way to July, before taking a break during the summer. A short burst of activity happens during the fall season, then home buyers rush to complete closings before the end of the year in order to qualify for a homestead tax exemption.
One of the best months to sell a home in Houston is May. This month is a great window to attract prospective families with school-age kids, as they will need to close before July to relocate into their new home right before the start of a new school year.
Ready to put your Houston home on the market? Get in touch with Jenna D’Amico for the very best Houston, Texas real estate options! Call 832-381-4121 or send an email to jenna(at)jennadamico(dotted)com today to work with the top Houston area realtors!
