The guide includes tips, tricks, genius ideas, and insider secrets to sell your house fast.
“Knowing the process will create success” states Denver, Colorado Real Estate Agent Tom. This guide takes you step by step and has everything you need.
BONUS: Renovations for less than $100 that will increase the value of your house!
Did you search on Google, “how do I sell my house fast,” or “I need to sell my house fast?” If you did, you are in the right place! We buy houses in Denver, Colorado. Today, you will learn steps so you can start taking actions today. Plus, they are 100% free.
So, my question to you is…
Do you want to sell your house fast and for a high price?
Did you answer yes? Then you are in the right place. Let’s get started right now. Read carefully to catch all the insider secrets to help you sell your house fast.
Selling your house can be complicated. Selling your home involves possibly the most significant transaction you will make in your lifetime. Selling your house fast adds another component that creates an entirely new set of pressures. If you are searching on Google, “what can I do to sell my house fast in Denver, Colorado?” This definitive guide will take you through the process step by step.
Renovations for less than $100 that will increase the value of your house!
Chapter 1 – Decide if you are ready to sell
Why do you want to sell your house? Are you on a timeline and need to sell your home fast? Do you need more space? Do you have a new job? Do you want to sell your house to move into a smaller condo or apartment?
If you tell yourself, “I want to sell my house,” you 100% must have a great reason. You must have a great purpose because getting your house sold for a fair price, but it is a time-intensive and challenging process. Getting your home sold can be rewarding, especially when you buy a new house. However, be sure you are ready to sell before you embark on the journey.
Before you move past just thinking about selling your home, you should answer a few other questions:
Do I have equity in this house to sell?
If you owe more than your house is now worth, it might be better to wait.
Can I afford the costs of selling a home?
Getting your home ready to sell– rehab/renovations, hiring an agent, commissions, title fees, and bank fees, closing costs, add up very quickly. An estimated budget of 10% of your sales price will go to closing costs. It does not include repairs and renovations.
Am I ready to leave this home behind?
You have been in your home for some time. Are you ready to sell your house and leave it behind? Mentally and emotionally, are you prepared to move on?
- If space or functionality is the issue with the house, is buying new the smartest financial move?
Sometimes taking out loans for renovations can be a better fit for you than a bigger mortgage.
If you are a yes in all these questions, it could be time to go for it.
Chapter 2 – A clean house sells faster. Clean and Declutter
You have decided selling your house is the right choice. Now the real work begins.
Before listing your home on the market to sell, you must get it squeaky clean, organized, spick-and-span, and decluttered.
“I recommend two things to every person looking to sell their home,” says Tanya, a real estate expert in Denver, Colorado. “Number one is removing as much as you can to create space, i.e., declutter. Next, make sure the house is spotless.” Buyers need to be able to imagine this property being their new home.
Start on this process early. As soon as you decide to sell your home, start packing away trinkets, and treasures into storage.
“We buy houses with clients regularly,” says Realtor James, “and buyers always have more positive things to say about clean, organized, spacious rooms.”
Chapter 3 – Invest in storage while selling your house,
Speak of space. Where will you put all that stuff? The best thing for you to do is rent out some space temporarily. It is cheap, a few and very convenient. Do not move your clutter from one area to another. Get it out of the house. For added convenience, it is best to have a portable delivered right to your front door. When you are ready, make a quick call, and it will be picked up.
We reached out to a storage unit on Wadsworth, a main street in Lakewood. Lakewood is a City within Denver, Colorado. Carl, the shift supervisor, said, “Storage units are affordable, secure, and convenient. It’s a great option while you are trying to get your house sold for all the extra stuff.”
Chapter 4 – Pick a selling strategy to get your home sold on time.
To sell your house, you need a strategy. One strategy might sell your home fast, while another might involve you needing less experience. Each approach has its benefits. There are three main strategies people choose to sell their house. The strategy you choose will determine how fast your home sells.
For Sale by Owner (FSBO) – Sell your house all on your own.
You must be confident in the selling process. It involves setting a fair price, negotiating with the buyer and the agent, reading, and reviewing old legal documents, and taking care of any problems. Enlist yourself to have an experience; we recommend choosing option B or option C. Average time across the U.S. from listing to close currently 80+ days.
Traditional Method of selling your home.
Selling your house using the traditional method, typically hiring a real estate agent, will take almost as long as selling your home using FSBO. However, you will get the gross highest sales price. The cash unit you end up within your bank account, may or may not be the highest amount. The cash you receive will be the sales price minus all the closing costs, bank fees, commissions, renovations you must do, repairs the buyers require, and other expenses.
If you are inexperienced in selling houses, an agent can be a great idea. It is an excellent idea because an agent will protect your interest in the real estate property.
Sell to Real Estate Professional like Watsonbuys.com – We buy houses in Denver, CO.
You sell your house as-is. You sell your home for cash. They renovate your house and then rent them out or resell them. There needs to be a little profit built in. If you sell your house fast to an investor, you will not pay any commissions or fees. They typically buy your home as-is.
If they buy as-is, this means you make no repairs. There will be no inspection costs, no renovations, and the process is extremely fast and amazingly comfortable. If you need to sell your house fast, this is easily the best choice.
Watson Buys is an example of a real estate pro. You can ask for their advice on selling your house fast. If you are living on the East side of Denver, that’s cool! They have a second office at Montbello, one of Denver’s eastern communities near the Denver International Airport.
Pro-Tip
Something to watch out for: “if an agent gives you an estimated way higher than the rest, that’s a red flag that they may just be trying to flatter you to get your business. Overpricing does not do you any favors” stated James from a real estate company in Denver.
Chapter 5 – Set the listing price right to sell your house fast.
Choosing the right price when selling your home is critical. Price it too high, and it will sit on the market and grow stagnant. Set it too low and you will regret leaving money on the table. If you are unsure about how much your house is worth talking to a professional.
It might be an agent from a big firm like REMAX, or a small local Denver investment company like WatsonBuys.com. “At WatsonBuys.com, we buy houses regularly, so we understand how to work out the value of your home and explain how we got it clearly,” said Shaun. “Knowing and understanding what your house is worth is very important.” He continued.
Knowing what your house is worth is determined by comparing your house to other homes in your neighborhood that sold recently. “If we buy houses in Denver, then we compare them to other houses of the same size and same area of Denver,” said Tanya. “It’s pretty simple. However, local knowledge is a crucial component. For example, if the professional you work with is in Indianapolis, and you are selling your house in Denver, Colorado, then that person will not understand the true value of your house.”
Location, Location, Location. Aren’t they the three most important words in real estate? Proximity to parks, supermarkets, outdoor recreation activities like cycling and bike paths all add or detract to how much you can list your house for.
Chapter 6 – Handle Any Quick Repairs – A fixed house will sell faster than a broken house.
Only make repairs that matter to buyers. Do not do any major renovations. Consult with a professional so that you do not waste time and money. Most sellers, if unchecked, will fix way more than they need to.
Rule of thumb: Is it something you used in day to day living, hot water, heaters, doorknobs, and windows? If yes, then it needs to be fixed. Replacing a kitchen cabinet because of a small chip. DON’T DO IT!
The trick to selling your house and selling your home fast is to get every room clean, and everything is working correctly. Do the doors close, or do they rub on the floor?
Chapter 7 – Will staging sell my house faster?
When selling your home set the stage. Great staging and curb appeal will absolutely sell your house fast.
Staging is setting up the home to make it look its best. Staging the home with gorgeous furniture, fabulous art, and even freshly baked cookies are some tips and trick home staging pros always recommend.
Ever watch home renovation shows and quickly fall in love with each house? It is because they plan out exactly how each item in the house compliments the space.
If the home is empty, you can hire staging companies. If you do not have a budget for physical staging, you could opt for virtual staging and print images for people to pick up as they enter the empty property. Other tips that cost zero dollars are letting in as much natural light as you can. Paint the walls a neutral color. Rearrange the furniture to make the rooms look larger.
We talked to a property management company who both sells and rents out properties. Rebecca, the owner said “staging will sell a house faster and rent a house faster. Staging helps people imagine themselves living in the space. We always stage our houses.”
Chapter 8 – A professional photographer can draw home-buyers in.
First impressions last Did you know most buyers will spend 20 seconds on the first shot/picture of your house for sale then many will move onto the next property? You must nail the first shot.
Beautiful homes can get zero attention because of harmful visual content. Professional photography will do this for you. Now you must also consider 3D tours and drone footage to capture the beauty of your house.
“An ugly house can be photographed in good light. We buy ugly houses at Watson Buys in Denver regularly so have seen what these good photographers can do” said Shaun from Watson Buys. Watson Buys is a Denver based real estate investment company. They have 2 locations in Denver. Their first is in Golden, CO and the second on the east side of Denver in a great community called Montbello. They put themselves on opposite sides of Denver for added convenience.
Chapter 9 –A great listing description will help sell your home.
Do some research, ask a professional, highlight the good, maybe do not mention the bad. That said, you are not allowed to hide something purposely. However, that will come up later in the home selling process in property disclosures. Here are some points to think about when writing your listing.
- Describe the property accurately.
- Choose adjectives wisely.
- Avoid red flag words.
- Include words that add value.
- Highlight unique features.
- Take notice of punctuation.
- Leave out super basic info.
- Use great photos.
Chapter 10 – Timing when you sell your property is key!
Geographical location can determine what time of year is best to get your house sold fast, and for a fair price.
The best time to sell your house is…
Most homes sold are in the summer months, which means you need to be listing your property in spring. When you list your property is much different from when you sell your home. Typically, your house will be on the market from 15-60 days (current average across many US cities), and then the closing often is 30-45 days. After this, your house is sold.
The best time to sell your house is affected by the city you are in. If you are in a place that wears flip flops in January, like Phoenix, then listing in January could be a great option. Are you in Denver, Colorado? If you plan to sell your house in Denver, remember there could be a foot of snow on the road. It tends to keep people at home.
Renee tells us, “Typically, in Denver, more homes are sold in June, July or August than other months. Denver’s summer is much warmer than the cold the winter months bring in the Colorado Rockies. Therefore, it makes sense.”
Pro Insights
Spring:
- More daylight hours and predictable weather in most places mean more time for home showings.
- Time for you (and buyers) is more flexible with vacations and more time after work hours showing or touring houses.
- Buyers have a sense of urgency to get their school-aged kids settled.
- There is more available data from spring home sales to use to price your home.
- With their buying window closing, buyers are more likely to make more competitive offers and move faster to close.
Summer:
- More daylight hours and predictable weather in most places mean more time for home showings.
- Time for you (and buyers) is more flexible with vacations and more time after work hours showing or touring houses.
- Buyers have a sense of urgency to get their school-aged kids settled.
- There is more available data from spring home sales to use to price your home.
- With their buying window closing, buyers are more likely to make more competitive offers and move faster to close.
Fall:
- Less inventory and competition from people selling family homes
- Serious buyers who could not buy during spring and summer have the motivation to close before the holidays.
- Costs for fixing up your home get lower, and you will have more access to professionals to help you as their busy season ends.
- Sellers can make home listing images more vivid with fall foliage and decor, making their homes stand out from the remaining competition.
- Safety increases as the prime season for home burglaries end
Winter:
- Highly motivated buyers who want to close before the year ends to take advantage of tax breaks
- Less inventory means lower competition for buyer attention, especially in off-season markets.
- Relocating buyers need to find a home to start new jobs or take other opportunities in December, January, or February.
- Top real estate agents looking for year-end sales rise to the challenge of selling your home.
- Giving your home a holiday feel helps buyers envision living there during that time of year.
- Snow can cover some of the uglier features in your yard — at least until it gets stomped into a mud.
Chapter 11 – Be Flexible and show your home to plenty of potential house-buyers.
Flexibility in showings is particularly important to get your house sold, fast and for a fair price. Buyers typically want your house for themselves no matter how good your photos and videos are. Usually, a person wishing to buy your home will decide with their agent to see it. Being flexible can make a difference in selling your house or not. Understand that if you choose to sell your house FSBO or the traditional way may have to show your home to many people to get the best price.
Chapter 12 – You have listed your house for sale. Now spread the word.
Spread the word on social media. Host virtual tours/3d tours. Network with real estate agents and other real estate professionals. Do not assume anyone sees your house for sale just because it is on the MLS. Lookup other agents that sold other homes in your area. Maybe they have a buyer that loves your neighborhood and is ready to buy now.
Spread the word old school, Sell! Sell! Sell! Advertise your home the old-fashioned way across print media, including newspapers, magazines, and local flyers, to reach more buyers.
Chapter 13 – Low mortgage rates sell house for top dollar.
When mortgage rates are low home buyers can afford to pay more for your house. Low rates also bring out more buyer so your house will sell fast too.
Mortgage rates can change how you sell a house. When rates are low, people can afford to pay more. Be sure to check out current trends.
BONUS: How do local factors affect me selling my house fast?
How fast your house sells can be influenced by local factors like employment and incentives.
Did a large Company just move into town? Or maybe the local council has a new tax break for homeowners. The latter is local knowledge that many real estate professionals may not know. “Watsonbuys.com prides itself on understanding local markets and therefore paying fair cash prices for homes,” said Rebecca. “Because we live in various Denver neighborhoods, we understand what each is worth.”
Local knowledge is an essential factor when deciding to sell your house.
Chapter 14 – Picking the Right Offer so you can close the house sale.
If a potential buyer for your house is not pre-qualified for a loan it could slow down the closing process.
Review all the offers and pick the one that best suits your needs. Maybe offer #1 has the highest price but offer #2 is flexible on the closing date. One offer might be cash 100% guaranteed funds at closing while another person looking to purchase your home requires a mortgage form a bank. A mortgage from a bank could slow down the person who wants to buy your house.
If you want a better offer, then submit a counteroffer. More money, fewer concessions, pick the closing date, change who pays for what. Now is when you negotiate how your house will be sold, how much your home will be sold for, and who pays for what.
Make sure you understand this process clearly. There is a lot of small print. If you miss something, you may end up getting less than you hoped for. Using a real estate professional at this point can save you several headaches and costly mistakes. You could use a real estate agent, real estate attorney, or a friendly cash home buyer that is willing to lend a hand.
Chapter 15 – When selling your house, the contract you sign will have an inspection period.
Once under contract, the person buying your house, will want to check for anything that needs repairs.
The inspection. Is when the buyer checks the condition of the house. Typically, they will order an inspection from a real estate inspection company. It happens in the first couple of weeks after signing the contract. The inspector who spends a few hours in your home checking all systems. The HVAC, roof, windows, and even the kitchen sink. From this report, the buy will decide if they require you to fix anything.
Chapter 16 – One downside to selling your home traditionally are the post inspection repairs.
When selling your house to a traditional home buyer they will want to run over your house with a fine-tooth comb and then ask you to fix everything.
You are not obligated to fix Items that need repairing that were identified during the inspection period. However, if you do not come to an agreement with the buyer, the contract may fall apart. Your negotiation skills come in handy here.
Chapter 17 – Final Prep to Move Out.
You are in the final stages, your house is almost officially sold, time to pack up.
Once you have accepted an offer and signed the contract, use set the closing date. And unless stated otherwise closing day is the day you must be out of your house. Make sure you have everything out of the place— triple check closets cabinets and attic spaces.
Clean the house one last time for the new owners.
Leave any extra keys and garage door openers somewhere in the home. You can let the buyer’s agent know where they are.
PRO-TIP
A lot of people forget to forward mail, notify subscriptions, and even tell family and friends. Be sure to let everybody know how to contact you and where to find you.
Chapter 18 – When you sell a house the last step is the closing.
Once the documents are checked and signed you have now successfully sold your house.
On the closing day, you can choose whether you want to be there. Most people do attend the closing. It is when you sign all the documents. “Closing is when the buyer sits down, does a final check on all the documents, and then signs them. You can perform a closing remotely if you choose.”
Let’s get back to the original idea for this post. How to sell my house fast. We have laid out each step to selling your house. We have highlighted parts that will help your house sell fast. Selling your house is a lengthy process that involves a valuable asset. Be sure to plan out all the stages to ensure success.
Stay safe and Happy Selling.
But wait… There’s more.
BONUS CHAPTER: 3 Genius DIY Renovations for Less than $300
You can do these renovations easily today and add $1000s to your home value!
Did you know that if you spend an average of $10,000 for a roof, when you come to sell the house, it will only increase the value by $8000?
Do not go overboard on major remodels— you probably will not get your money back. Instead, focus on small upgrades that will fascinate buyers. Particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, where you are most likely to see a return on investment.
Paint a Room or the Entire Interior
Painting a room can dramatically transform it. Lighter paint color can make the room feel larger. Jenn, an interior designer in Denver’s neighborhood of Lakewood, shares her advice. “My go-to color is White Duck. It is light, warm, and creates a feeling of space.”
A can of good quality paint can cost less than $30. It takes less than a day to apply, and it has been known to increase the sales price of a house by $10,000!
Replace Bathroom Handles
New bathroom handles or kitchen handles breathe new life into a bathroom or kitchen. Adding a more modern handle can elevate the space and cause buyers to want your home.
Make the Windows Shine
Most sellers underestimate the value of 100% crystal clear windows. Clean windows allow in more light, which creates a feeling of space and openness in your home. Also, clean windows draw the buyer’s attention outside, helping the buyer imagine themselves walking in and out of their new home. It works, so make it shine! A bottle of window cleaner and some rags are less than $20.