4 Open House Tips For A Quick Sale

When a military member wants to sell their home, they often need to do it quickly. When a service member receives a permanent change of station (PCS) order, they often only have enough time to pack before they must report for duty at their new location.

This may mean the family needs to stay behind until their current home sells or they have to risk a double mortgage and double everything else. But you can increase your odds of selling quicker with some careful attention to detail. Here are four tips for military members to prepare for an open house.

1. Let the Light In

A dark, dreary interior can feel depressing. It will also make prospective buyers whether you are hiding problems, dirt, or both. Open the blinds and drapes and allow all the natural light to pour in. This will make any home feel bright, clean, and airy.

2. Hire a Cleaning Service

Unless you are particularly adept at cleaning and have a lot of extra time on your hands, hire a cleaning service instead of trying to do everything on your own. According to the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), only 10 percent of people who have their house on the market keep it as clean as they should.

Call around and get a few quotes from different services for their deep-cleaning package. Be sure to compare what each service offers for that price as there will be variations in the service provided. Figure out which service is best for your needs and schedule an appointment.

Once they have done the deep-cleaning, consider scheduling them for bi-weekly maintenance visits as well. A clean home is likely to sell faster than a dirty home.

3. Spruce Up the Exterior

You don't want prospective home buyers doing the dreaded "drive by." Even if you don't have time or money to do anything major, little things will help.

• Rent a power washer at the hardware store and spray down everything that faces the street.
• Hang up a basket of flowers.
• Paint the front door red.
• Throw out a new welcome mat.
• Change the house numbers.

These are inexpensive, easy fixes that will make your house look more inviting and can all be done on a Saturday afternoon.

4. Help Your Real Estate Agent

When you need to sell your home quickly, the more people who are aware your home is for sale, the more likely you will find a buyer. Your real estate agent will do their marketing, but you do yours as well. Share the listing on your social media sites. Print out flyers to leave in public places like grocery store bulletin boards.

To learn more about selling or buying military homes, contact a real estate agent in your area.