Selling your home in the off-season isn’t the drudgery it used to be. Since the housing shortage still exists, you can find the right buyer quickly if you prepare the house to meet their standards. Use these guidelines to get your property in tip-top shape and sell it fast. 

1) Remember What You Looked for During Your Last Home Search

Think back to when you bought a home. Didn’t you appreciate a detailed marketing package with clear details and sharp photographs? Later, while touring the house in person, were you turned off by smells, clutter, and dingy paint? 

The best way to sell your home is to prepare it for the type of buyer you would be.

While the nationwide sellers market remains largely unchanged, interest rates are higher than many buyers prefer compared to recent history.

You must go above and beyond mediocre to move your property quickly and for the asking price.  

2) Clean and Declutter Effectively

Dirty or cluttered homes do not sell quickly or for the best price. Spend months before your first open house cleaning from ceiling to floor.

If you need a motivator to keep your clutter in check, remember each military family is allowed a set weight limit for moving household goods during a PCS move.

Don’t pack what you don’t want to pay for in overage fees! 

• Ask your real estate agent for tips on what personal items to pack and store. 
• Consider temporary storage options if the house needs more space to feel “open or light and airy.”
• Use a checklist to clean every inch of the house, including appliances, thoroughly. 
• Save time and hire a professional cleaning crew for a deep clean.
• Discuss hiring a professional home stager to enhance your home’s appeal. 
• Take advantage of the cooler months and add cozy touches, like a lit fireplace for showings. 

3) Price Your Home Competitively for the Market

Thorough market research determines a fair and competitive price, so you may need a real estate agent’s help to find the perfect number.

They’ll talk with you about several points that influence the sale price, such as:

• Is the area heavily influenced by a PCS cycle?
• Does the house pass the requirements for VA loan buyers?
• What are the comparable homes in the neighborhood selling for?
• How many days on the market do nearby homes sit? 

4) Prepare Your Home for Inspection

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to hire a home inspector to report issues they find so you can make repairs before the buyer’s inspector takes a look. A home inspection ensures your home meets safety standards and VA loan requirements. 

• If the inspector finds large projects like foundation issues, prepare a plan to remedy the problem. 
• Fix maintenance headaches like leaky pipes and wobbly staircase handrails.
• Gather information the buyer wants, such as installation dates for a new roof, water heater, or air conditioning unit. 

5) Create Engaging Marketing 

You’ve moved enough to know what facts are essential in a home search, so highlight those features in your property’s marketing.

Don’t make your potential buyers search or guess. Keep your neighborhood location at the forefront and point out the benefits. 

• Spend considerable time and possibly money securing high-quality photography. 
• Create a home video and personalized website for the property. 
• Detail the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, plus flex and bonus spaces.
• Highlight updated property features like new paint or HVAC system. 
• Add drive times to military bases, shopping, and dining outlets.
• Describe local kids’ sports leagues and after-school activities in the area. 
• List the names of zoned schools if they’re in demand.

6) Leverage Your Military Relocation Connections

You might find your next homebuyer somewhere within your online military family connections.

How often has the friend-of-a-friend scenario played to your advantage, like when finding a rental house, learning the lowdown on a new city, or finding a lead on a local babysitter? 

• Work with a military spouse or veteran real estate agent with an expansive military client list. 
• Use your social media to connect with other military families who are PCSing to your area. 
• Talk about your home sale at military social events like balls, promotions, and holiday parties.

7) Be Flexible and Accommodating

If the off-season is proving slow in your local market, adopt some flexibility in your home-selling strategy. It might be what moves the property sooner rather than later. 

• Offer flexible closing dates or leaseback options.
• Widen negotiation terms for improvements or the price point. 
• Accommodate military buyers with unique time constraints.
• Provide virtual showings for long distance buyers. 

8) Consider Landlord Life

Becoming a landlord may not be your first choice, but it’s an idea you should consider if your home doesn’t sell or you’re not interested in reducing your asking price.

If you decide to start a real estate business, there’s a lot to learn, from taxes to legal protections and rental insurance.

Consult with other successful landlords or property managers to understand exactly what you’ll take on.   

If your main buying pool consists of military home buyers, there is a mutual understanding of what it’s like to PCS during the off-season.

Use this camaraderie to foster real estate relationships with potential buyers. The personal touch might make them decide your property is their next dream home. 

Following these guidelines can increase your chances of selling your home successfully in the off-season. Remember to be patient, flexible, and proactive with your selling strategy.

From MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc. 

*For more posts from MBO, check out our MM website.