Ready to ditch the mainland life for tropical island living? Your home might be the only thing standing between you and the Hawaiian lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. So, let’s sell that thing! Here are a few helpful tips to sell your house for the best price and make the move to Hawaii a reality.
1. Price Strategically
Setting the right price is the first step in the home-selling process, but it’s not as easy as just picking a big number. If you price too high, you won’t find any buyers. Price too low and you’ll lose out on money. You need to think like Goldilocks and find the price that’s just right.
Do Market Research
Go online and see what other homes in the area are selling for. No, that castle up the street doesn’t count. Look for nearby homes with a similar bedroom/bathroom count, square footage, and lot size. That will give you a good idea of the price range you should aim for.
Use Price Points
Pricing is marketing. And marketing is all about thinking like the audience you want to attract. Buyers don’t look for homes with specific prices; they search for ranges, typically by five or ten thousand-dollar increments.
For example, don’t price your home at $300,500. You’re going to miss all the buyers looking in the $250,00 - $300,000 range. Set your price at $299,999 to get into the price range your buyers are looking for.
Shave 15-20% off the Price (Optional)
At first glance, this tactic might seem best for a quick sale. While that might be somewhat true, it can actually increase the sale price of your home. “That makes no sense!” Well, stick with me here.
Decreasing the price of your home by 15-20% will bring the buyers rolling in, and once enough people are interested, you’ll have a bidding war on your hands. Most of the time, the bids will keep climbing until the offers are way beyond the original, pre-discounted price you were asking for!
Of course, this tactic isn’t without risk, which scares off most sellers, but it’s still one of the best pricing strategies you can use in today’s fast-paced market.
2. Don’t Go Crazy with Upgrades
While some upgrades might increase the value of your home, it’s important not to overdo it. When people buy a house, they want to make it their own. If they don’t like the style of the bathroom renovation you just did, it’s not going to entice them to pay a higher price.
In general, stick to small upgrades before selling. Things like simple landscaping (nothing elaborate), fresh paint, extensive cleaning, or new hardware on cabinets and doors will give your rooms that extra pop without popping your budget.
3. Stage Your Home
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything! One tiny negative detail might be enough to make an interested buyer run for the hills. It’s important that your home is ready to stun for every showing.
The first thing a buyer sees is the outside of your house. If a buyer rolls up to find an un-mowed yard and dingy exterior paint, they’re going to keep driving. Curb appeal is essential when selling your home. Freshen up the paint, arrange the patio furniture, and keep the grass and shrubs maintained.
Next, you want to freshen up the interior of your house. The entryway is the first thing a person sees when entering your house, so make sure it’s impressive. Here are a few other tips to make your interior space dazzle:
Remove homey touches – Buyers don’t want to see how you live in the house; they want to imagine how they’ll live in the house. The more personal pictures and decorations they see, the harder it is for them to insert themselves. Remove your homey touches and create a blank canvas for buyers to paint their own lives on.
Half empty closets – People never have enough space. When searching for a new house, they want to know all their junk will fit. If they check out your closet and find it crammed full of hundreds of shoes, they’ll think there’s not enough space in the house. Keep your closets well-organized and half-empty to make it look like there’s loads of storage space all over.
Maximize lighting – Lose the drapes, clean the windows and lampshades, and put in the bright bulbs. Buyers love well-lit homes. It makes the entire space seem light and cheery.
While you can do all the staging yourself, it never hurts to hire a professional. The money you spend on a professional can be easily recouped if you can attract the right buyer—or better yet, buyers.
Now, You’re Ready to Move
Once your house is ready to sell, it’s time to go shopping for your dream home in Hawaii! There are plenty of homes available on the Big Island, and I’d love to show you around. Give me a call at 808-209-6244 or send an email to RandyRipley808@gmail.com to take the first step toward your new life in Hawaii.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.