5 Strategic Ways to Make Your Home Stand Out

When several homes similar to yours are competing for the same buyers, price isn’t the only way to stand out. The right incentive may give buyers another reason to choose your property, encourage stronger interest, or help an offer come together sooner. Here are several options worth considering.

  1. Include a home warranty for the buyer as part of your listing. A home warranty may cover the repair or replacement of certain major home systems and appliances, which can be reassuring to buyers who are already bringing significant cash to the closing table. According to Forbes, the national average cost of repairing or replacing heating and air conditioning systems is $8,000. Giving buyers some protection from unexpected covered repairs during the first year may make your property more appealing.

    A home warranty may also reduce some of the uncertainty buyers feel about older systems or appliances. In addition, many home warranty companies offer seller coverage during the listing period, which may help protect you if a covered problem occurs before closing. You can learn more about Home Warranties in the following articles:
    3 Sound Reasons Why You Should Offer a Home Warranty
    Avoid Surprise Costly Repairs with a Home Warranty
  1. Offer a concession to buyers by using a portion of your proceeds at closing to help with certain expenses. Depending on the transaction and loan requirements, examples might include:
  • Paying a portion of the buyer’s allowable closing costs or loan-related expenses.
  • Providing an agreed-upon amount toward repairs or improvements, particularly if the property has an obvious issue such as worn carpeting or deferred maintenance. Better yet, if your budget allows, completing worthwhile repairs before listing can make the home feel more move-in ready and reduce objections from buyers.
  1. Offer flexibility with possession or closing if your situation allows it. Some buyers need to move quickly, while others may need extra time because of a lease, job relocation, or the sale of another property. Being able to accommodate either situation can make your home more attractive without changing the price. Ask your agent whether language such as “flexible closing” should be included in the agent remarks of the MLS listing.
  1. If your financial and legal circumstances make it appropriate, seller financing or a lease-to-own arrangement may expand the pool of potential buyers. These options can be more complicated than a traditional sale and may not work when there is an existing mortgage or other restrictions, so they should be discussed with your real estate, legal, and financial professionals before being offered.
  1. Consider including certain personal property that could make the overall package more appealing. Examples might include lawn or garden equipment, a pool table, recreational equipment, or other unattached items that complement the property. Because personal property can affect contracts, financing, and appraisal considerations, check with your agent before including it as part of a transaction.

The right incentive can help your home stand apart from similar properties and remove an obstacle that might otherwise keep a buyer from moving forward. Not every incentive makes sense for every seller, so we’ll look at your goals, the competition, and current buyer behavior before deciding whether any of these strategies could help. If we do offer an incentive, I’ll make sure it’s communicated clearly and appropriately in the MLS.