The Florida real estate market is among the most robust. With its great weather and influx of tourists, owning a home in The Sunshine State is an excellent investment. The purchase appetite is obviously great, but sellers face the challenge of staging their homes to appeal to picky buyers. If you plan to sell your home in Florida, learn some tips to close the deal quickly.
Glimpse on the Florida Real Estate Market
The real estate market in Florida has gone from strength to strength due to favorable weather conditions, population growth and rising tourism, especially in the cities of Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Domestic and international homebuyers contribute to the market activity within the state.
While the buying appetite is high, challenges exist, delaying closing the deal. For instance, you may encounter willing homebuyers who will offer an unrealistic price of considerably less than your home is worth.
Tips to Sell Your Home Quickly
Purchasing a home is a big decision, so buyers may need a few weeks to months to give the green signal. If you want to accelerate this process, here are some strategies to influence the buying timeline.
Know Your House’s Value
Most buyers see the dollars first and write off homes that don’t fit their budget. Hiring a professional appraiser can save you from the headache of estimating your home’s market value, especially if it’s unique and larger than most in the area.
The average home value in 2023 was $383,063, representing an 8.2% increase year-over-year. With a pre-listing appraisal done by a professional, buyers will be more likely to consider your asking price and negotiations will be smoother.
The state has a list of approved appraisers who meet the requirements, certifications and licenses necessary for their job. You can tap one of them for help.
Stage Your Home
Your next step is to upgrade your home’s aesthetics. Boosting the curb appeal of the exterior and spotlighting the best features of the interior will make your home irresistible, like a cake with colorful frosting and toppings. Here are a few things you can do.
1. Manicure the Garden and Lawn
A well-maintained lawn and garden are a sign the property is looked after and a good selling point that attracts premium buyers.
2. Add Attractive Landscaping Elements
Landscaping services cost around $1,500–$5,000 for front yards and $15,000 to $50,000 for backyards, which is quite expensive. However, it will potentially increase your property’s price tag by 15%–20% more during a resale.
Furnish your yards with some colors by adding flowers and plants to the flower beds. Keep the lawn neat so the surroundings look put together every time a buyer comes.
3. Repaint the Exterior Walls
Another simple strategy is to apply a fresh coat of paint to your property’s exterior. It’ll make your house look brand new.
4. Add Cladding
Cladding adds texture to the wall and makes it look more sophisticated. Apart from the aesthetics, it has many uses, like providing a waterproof envelope that keeps the walls from getting soaked with rain and moisture, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
5. Install Hurricane Shutters
Three of the five cities with the highest hurricane risk are in Florida — Miami, Key West and Tampa. This is why installing hurricane shutters is necessary for the buyer’s security and peace of mind. The aluminum can reduce the impact of natural disasters, prevent heavy rains from infiltrating through the doors and windows, and protect your assets.
6. Declutter and Depersonalize the Space
If buyers like your home, they’ll try to envision living in it. Their mind will visualize many scenarios, such as what furniture or accessories to add to make it homey, and how to rearrange it. You can make this mental process easier by decluttering and depersonalizing your property, encouraging the buyers to think they own it.
7. Perform Home Upgrades
Simple upgrades in the interior will make your home shine. For example, repainting the kitchen cabinets will give them a fresh look, adding a coffee table to the living room will add a touch of modernity and switching to eco-friendly lighting will appeal to buyers looking for sustainable options.
To make a strong first impression, your home must look pleasing. Remember these tips while staging your property.
Work With a Real Estate Agent
If your main goal is to sell the house fast, a skilled real estate agent can easily tap into their network for potential buyers. All you have to do is sign the papers when closing the deal.
The selling process can be chaotic and missing some payables related to offloading your property can happen if you do it alone. Since you’ll have to foot some of the costs, working with an agent can ensure you sign the deal and handle all the related expenses legally.
Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent
Agents take a cut for their services, which is typically around 4%–6% of a property’s sale price. It’s a sizable amount of money, but it’s worth it if they can make the buying process seamless. An agent can help you in two ways.
1. Access to a Network of Potential Buyers
Experienced agents can easily find a buyer from their massive network of clients and other real estate professionals who can make referrals.
2. Expertise in Pricing, Marketing and Negotiating
They know the market like the back of their hand, so they’re adept at advertising the property in a way that tugs at the buyer’s heartstrings. Their negotiating skills can help you get the best price.
Tips for Selecting the Right Agent
You’ll work with the agent for a time, so choosing someone with the right attitude, skills and professionalism is the recipe for a prompt sale.
1. Research Local Agents
Industry sites like Realtor have a search function where you can find professional real estate agents in Florida, and look up their profiles and experiences. Alternatively, you can ask someone in your network if they know someone.
2. Schedule Interviews and Ask For References
Once you have a pick, schedule a meeting to evaluate their home-selling track record further. More importantly, ask for references or testimonials to find out what their previous clients say about them.
Fast-Track Your Home Selling With These Tips
The home selling process can be tricky, from upgrading to finally listing it for sale. You can offload the chunk of the tasks to a professional real estate agent at a commission. If you decide to do the process yourself, ensure you stage the interior and exterior to make it appealing.
In any form of transaction, appearance holds a significant value. By beautifying your home, you’re likely to close the deal.