For the past several years, Atlanta has been at or near the top of many “best-of” lists, including fastest growing cities. This year, Atlanta was ranked as the third fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, mushrooming in population by 90,000 people between 2016 and 2017. The reasons are many: excellent job markets, mild climate, a burgeoning film industry, a convenient travel hub and affordable home prices compared to other metros our size.
Of course, all of this also adds up to a highly competitive housing market. While there is no shortage of interested buyers, sellers must be diligent in presenting their homes in the best possible light to ensure the buyer makes an offer on their home rather than the (slightly) nicer-looking one down the street. If you’re thinking to cash in on the vibrant housing market, here are five important tips you need to follow for selling your home in Atlanta.
1. Spruce it up.
Before listing your home, consider investing in improvements and updates. If your home is more than a few years old, focus on updates to the kitchen, baths and outdoor spaces as buyers tend to be most attracted to these features (plus, they tend to boost selling prices). Also, make sure your flooring looks its best and consider replacing these if necessary. Even a fresh coat of paint and updated landscaping will help. In the Atlanta market, first impressions matter.
2. Price it right.
One of the biggest hindrances to a quick sale in Atlanta is pricing a home incorrectly. Atlanta home buyers are market-savvy. If you price it too aggressively in relation to comparable homes in your neighborhood, buyers will either give you low-ball offers or look elsewhere. If you price it too low, buyers may wonder what’s wrong with your house — and when you do sell, you’ll be selling yourself short. A knowledgeable agent can help you do research on comparable homes in your area to make sure you set a price that the market will support while also being fair to you as the seller. You’ll also sell more quickly without the need for price reductions.
3. Take great photos.
First impressions take place online, not at the curb. By the time you have a showing, those prospective buyers have already pored over hundreds if not thousands of photos online. Posting badly-taken, poorly-lit photos can cause your home to be overlooked by many great buyers. Unless you take pictures yourself at a professional level, it’s worth investing in a professional photographer to put your home in the best light.
4. Stage your home.
These days, staging your home properly can shave months off your listing time and boost your sales price by double-digit percentage points. Failing to stage or staging improperly can have the opposite effect. If you’re still living in your home, make sure you declutter, remove excessive personal touches and store a few furniture pieces, if necessary, to make sure buyers have a clear, welcoming pathway through your home. If your home is already vacant or if you don’t have a budget to hire a staging professional, consider some form of virtual home staging so buyers can visualize your home online with the décor of their choice.
5. Work with an experienced Atlanta agent.
All the above tips aside, every home, every neighborhood and every selling experience is different and unique. To maximize your efforts, consider working with an experienced Atlanta real estate agent who can help you create an individualized marketing plan designed to get your home sold quickly and at the best possible price. For more information on selling a home in Atlanta, contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty today at 404.948.4812.