Perhaps the clock’s ticking because your company transferred you to a new city or you’re following your dream to a new state. Maybe you’re selling your childhood home because your mom requires around-the-clock nursing care now.

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Whatever the reason, you’re in luck: Now’s a great time to sell! According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors, 47% of recent home sales were on the market for less than a month.

If other homeowners can do it, you can too! Get with an experienced real estate agent and sell your home in record time with these simple tips.

 

Accentuate the Positive

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Staging spotlights your home’s best features while downplaying its problem areas. It starts with cleaning and decluttering and can include painting and rearranging furniture, among other tasks. The goal is to create a welcoming environment that’s easy for buyers to see as their own.

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You can hire a professional stager or do it yourself. Either way, it’s well worth your time and money. A recent study by the Real Estate Staging Association found that homes that were staged before being listed sold in an average of 23 days. That’s 90% faster than those that sat on the market for several months before being staged!

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Homes that were staged before being listed sold in an average of 23 days. That’s 90% faster than those that sat on the market for several months before being staged!

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Use Knockout Photos

Today’s buyers rely heavily on the internet in their search for the perfect home, and photos play a big role in capturing their attention. That’s why it’s important to put your best face forward.

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According to Redfin, buyers pay more for homes with professional listing photos (and snatch them up more quickly) than those with lackluster shots. So save your smartphone camera for selfies.

 

This job calls for a professional—preferably with a wide-angle lens! Schedule your photo shoot for a time of day when the sun casts the perfect light on your home, and make sure every room looks catalog-ready.

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Price It Right

This is no time to put your emotions in the driver’s seat. If you really want to move the needle, you’ve got to price your home to sell. It doesn’t matter how much you paid for it eight years ago or what you owe on your mortgage. Your home is worth what buyers will pay, plain and simple.

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Price it too high, and buyers will pass it up without ever stepping through the door. Price it too low, and you’ll give it away to the first taker. Work with an experienced real estate agent to find a happy medium so you don’t lose time or money. Your agent can help you set a competitive price by comparing recent sales of homes in your area.

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It doesn’t matter how much you paid for your home eight years ago or what you owe on your mortgage. Your home is worth what buyers will pay, plain and simple.

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Hire a Mover and Shaker

Don’t waste your time on an agent who only sells a handful of homes a year. It takes more than a sign in your yard to sell your home fast. You need a pro with a plan, and a short deadline calls for the best in the business!

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A true pro knows there’s strength in numbers and brings a creative mind and a mile-long contacts list to expose your home to as many buyers as possible. Look for a high-octane agent who closes a minimum of 35 home transactions per year and has at least four years of real estate experience.

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With the right agent, you can get top dollar for your home even when time is short.