Selling your home can be easier when you’re retired, because it allows you to have more time at home. You can show buyers your house on short notice, make repairs, and be there for a open house that can bring more people in the door. There are many FSBO tips to consider as a retiree. Here are some of the most important ones to consider, so you can get your home sold quickly and for the right price. That can help you feel good about the process of getting your home sold and moving on to what’s next.
1. Does being home more really make a difference?
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When you’re retired, you have the chance to stay home more. You can pursue hobbies and do the kinds of things you enjoy, but you aren’t required to go anywhere if you don’t want to.
That can be the ideal time for a FSBO listing to sell your house, since you will be available to show it to buyers at their convenience. Something as simple as making time for buyers can potentially mean the difference between getting your house sold quickly and waiting longer.
Not all buyers will be concerned if they can’t see your house on a particular day. They’ll just schedule it for a different time. For buyers who are looking for a home right away, though, not being able to see your house on their schedule can mean that they cross it off the list or find another home they like before they even see yours. Being home more often can help keep that from happening to you.
2. Can you show your home on short notice?
How quickly you can show your home to a buyer can matter just as much as the dates and times you’ll be available. If a buyer is in the neighborhood and calls about your house, letting them come over right at that time could mean a sale. Buyers remember things like how well the seller worked with them, and what that seller offered. It won’t make them buy a house they don’t like, but can sway their decision when trying to choose between several houses.
A lot of buyers pass up homes that are by appointment only, or that require a day or two before they can be shown. If a buyer wants to see your home and they can do so within an hour or two, they’re much more likely to come take a look. That can keep them from just crossing your home off the list, and moving on to the next one.
3. Should you hold an open house?
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Holding an open house is an excellent way to get buyers into your home. As a retirees, you have some choices about when you’re going to hold your open house. Traditionally, they are held on the weekends, because more people work during the week. That’s still a good idea, but consider also holding one on a weekday, as well. It only needs to be for a few hours, and can really help buyers find a time where they can come see what your home has to offer.
By having one weekend and one weekday open house, you’ll also get a chance to talk to more people about your home, so they can tell others who may be in the market to buy. Spreading the word like that is completely free advertising, and can really complement the other advertising you’re doing in trying to get your home sold. If you want to sell quickly, at least one open house can make a difference.
4. Are there repairs to make before listing?
One of the great things about being retired is that you can get people to come to your house and do repair work sooner, rather than later. You don’t have to coordinate schedules or try to find a day when you’re not working and they have some availability. Instead, their first open appointment generally works for you. That’s good news, because it means anything that needs to be fixed before you list your home can get done so you can move on with selling.
There may also be some minor repairs that you can do on your own. Being retired gives you the chance to do that at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about coming home from work tired, and still needing to work on your house. It also helps you look at your house with a more critical eye, and understand the kinds of issues that might really stand out to a buyer. Then you can fix those things before you ever list the home.
5. Have you decluttered and depersonalized the space?
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As you look through your home, it’s important to make sure you depersonalize it and get rid of any clutter that has accumulated. That can be hard to do, because you’re used to having all of your things around you. Boxing up knickknacks, photos, and other personal things can help you be more ready for your move, though, and can also make your house look better to buyers who will be able to visualize their things in the space.
When you remove your personal items and stage your home to make it pleasantly neutral, you’ll be giving buyers a much better chance to really see what your house can offer them. They won’t be distracted by anything that belongs to you, so they can enjoy the true character and charm of the house itself. When they can see their things in the space, that can give them a higher chance of choosing your home over another one.
