I’m a Realtor: These Are 9 Features That Sell Your Home Fast
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
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The average home for sale in May 2024 stayed on the market for a mere 44 days, according to statistics from FRED Economic Data. That’s down from 69 days in January, a seasonal adjustment that’s to be expected as warmer weather rolls around, children finish the school year, and people are more willing to move.
But if you want to shave even more days off your home-selling timeline, Realtors say there are many steps you can take, from proper staging to home improvements.
The website Frontdoor.com recently analyzed Zillow data to compare how fast homes with specific features sold compared to others on the Zillow listing site. (The FRED data looks at the overall market, while the Frontdoor.com study only compared homes listed on Zillow.) The research revealed dozens of features in every room of your home that can encourage a faster sale. For the most part, the Realtors we spoke with cited similar amenities that can help buyers fall in love with your home.
Lighting
Multiple experts cited lighting, including tunable LEDs, recessed lighting in the kitchen, or modern fixtures in key living areas, as a key selling point. The Frontdoor study revealed that modern lighting can help sell a home in as little as 47.5 days, while chandelier lighting can shorten the median time on the market to 48 days.
Stylish wall sconces in the living room can help a home sell in 50 days, according to the study.
Vanity Lighting and Other Bathroom Amenities
The Frontdoor study also showed that homes with vanity lighting in the bathroom sell faster, with a median time of 44 days on the market, compared to homes without.
“Depending on the home, we may recommend additional lamps to create warmth and brightness to make the space appear bigger,” said Christy Walker, broker and owner of RE/MAX Signature in Phoenix, Arizona.
Vanity lighting combined with accented bath mats and matching bath towels can also tie the look of a bathroom together. For a faster sale, hang those towels on a heated towel rack for a cozy touch.
Butcher Block
Adding a butcher block countertop or island is a key selling feature for any modern kitchen, according to the Frontdoor report, reducing the median time on the market to 49 days.
If you’re thinking about where to add a butcher block element to create that farmhouse aesthetic, consider a kitchen island, said Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant.com.
“Those who don’t have kitchen islands currently are almost always intentionally looking for them when checking out potential homes. Kitchen islands increase a kitchen’s efficiency tenfold, from increasing counter space, to adding more storage, improving the flow of the kitchen, and potentially providing the option for countertop seating,” Nally said.
Walker added, “Due to many families being on the go, I also see a request for breakfast bars where kids can do homework or family members can eat breakfast and run in the mornings without sitting down at a formal dining table.”
Double Ovens
If you’re looking for ways to boost your kitchen’s efficiency, double ovens can also help, according to the Frontdoor report.
“Kitchens are very important,” Walker agreed. “Buyers are frequently looking for plenty of countertop space or an island for extra storage and prep space, stainless steel appliances, and double wall ovens.”
Shelving
Open shelving in a living room creates an illusion of a larger space many buyers love. The Frontdoor study indicated that homes with this feature take a median of 47 days to sell.
If open shelving doesn’t naturally fit your home’s décor, in-built shelves that are part of living room walls can also result in a fast sale, a median of about 49 days.
Just be careful about what you put on any shelves to keep an uncluttered vibe. “Tasteful greenery or natural elements that brighten the space are helpful,” Walker said.
Open Floor Plans
According to Walker, the era of open floor plans has yet to pass and may help your home sell faster.
“Many buyers are looking for a great room plan where they can have a large open space for entertaining,” she said.
Built-In Entertainment Systems
Walker also emphasized a need for segregated or private spaces, too. “While the desire for open space allows for entertainment, we found the trend post-Covid leaning back towards segregated spaces, where people have more privacy in individualized entertainment areas such as a teen room or hobby room,” Walker said.
A built-in entertainment system is a highly coveted feature in a living room or a similar gathering space, leading to a fast sale in 53.5 days, according to Frontdoor.com.
Patio
Walker emphasized that buyers look for seamless access to outdoor spaces, which could mean the addition of a patio and firepit, both shown to hasten the selling time to 53 days and 51 days, respectively.
“On a back patio, including a table and chairs or a fire pit set with a tray of refreshments or wine glasses sets the tone for enjoying time with those you love,” Walker said.
The Right Selling Price
Finally, you want to be sure to price your home properly, experts said.
“If you truly want a fast sale, you’ll need to price your property at what we refer to as the ‘compelling’ price point, [which] is slightly below the market value pricing, but just enough to ramp up demand and drive up the sales price,” said Sabrina Conti Erangey, broker associate at Baird & Warner. “You’ll need to retain an experienced local Realtor to ensure you are capitalizing on your strategy for a rush sale.”
Similarly, using the right marketing strategy can help sell your home faster. “Building a coming soon campaign to build anticipation and drive market activity can create a bigger impact,” Walker concluded.
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