Key Tips For Selling Your Home Successfully In Lubbock

I bought my home a year ago, and I can easily recount why I fell in love with it and jumped to buy it: it's in a great location, it was at a fair price point, and it had the upgrades I considered important. If you are looking to sell, you can't control the location; however, you absolutely can control the other two. In a competitive market like Lubbock, the right strategy can mean the difference between a quick, profitable sale and a listing that lingers.

Focus on First Impressions

You know what's very inexpensive (perhaps even free) and that can make or break your potential buyers' first impression? How CLEAN everything is. You can control that, and I'm shocked at how many sellers don't bother to have their listing sparkling.

The first thing people will see is the front yard. Is it tidy? This is Lubbock; folks don't expect extremely lush landscaping, but we do desire a nice-looking, decently maintained space.

A fresh coat of paint (even just on the front door) can make the value seem higher, but of course, if you paint the whole house and repair the soffit, etc., that will make your house feel more valuable.

Price It Strategically

A few years ago, you could price your home like a total sociopath and possibly pass it off to some rube. That micro-trend died the death it deserved, and now if you get greedy, you get punished with a listing that ages like milk. The longer the home is on the market, the more buyers are left to wonder, "What's wrong with it?" The key is to price your home based on recent comparable sales in Lubbock. A well-priced home can generate more interest and even lead to multiple offers.

Make Smart, High-Impact Upgrades

New kitchen appliances or a new countertop? YES! New barn doors. NO! Focus on what people really care about, not goofy trends. Easy-to-care-for modern flooring is a great idea. Ceiling fans in Lubbock are a MUST. Fresh, neutral paint, and again, I cannot overstate this, cleanliness! And yes, you need to fix the dang fence!

Stage Your Home to Sell / Get Great Photos

A great realtor will do this for you, but if you want to take the initiative, completely declutter the rooms (down to the furniture and a few items of generic decor like houseplants). It'll make the rooms look bigger and help the buyer make sense of the home's layout.

Highlight Energy Efficiency

Another major "yes" for me when I bought my home was the relatively new HVAC and water heater. Knowing I was going to save on my bills and wasn't facing the cost of replacing these immediately made me sure my house was "the one." New, energy-efficient windows, doors that close properly, and insulation are also things people look for when buying a home, because we don't want crazy summer a/c sticker shock.

Work With a Local Expert

A good realtor is usually worth their commission for their expertise and the time they spend filling out documents and negotiating on your behalf. You can do it on your own and possibly keep more of your money; however, you will work for it. Read reviews before you choose, and make sure you feel comfortable and "vibe" with your realtor before committing.

Good luck... and get to cleaning!