Even the mere thought of how to sell a property quickly elicits a deep sigh, doesn’t it? And why wouldn’t it, considering the multitude of factors that influence the sale of a house or apartment, all while facing the pressure to do it quickly, at the best possible price on the market, safely and efficiently… Now you can take a deep breath, as we can only conclude that when it comes to selling real estate in a sea of competition (with various advantages such as new construction, excellent location, top-notch interior design…), the ones who know it best are the experts focused on the real estate market in Croatia. That’s why we reached out to one of them, Ivan Varat from San Patrik Real Estate. Ivan emphasized three key components for a fast and successful sale, and we have supplemented them with a few more tips. Before you is a small guide that will help you avoid mistakes in selling a property, which unconsciously sabotage the sale that everyone desires – a sale that happens quickly, within a short timeframe, at the best realistic price. With good preparation, even an urgent sale of an apartment will no longer seem like such a daunting task!
How to sell a property quickly with the best financial benefit
Whether you’re selling a seaside apartment, a newly built or older apartment, or selling a property through an agency or without a mediator, Ivan Varat highlights two key things when it comes to selling a property – a good advertisement and a realistic price.
“I believe that exaggerating the price is unnecessary. Statistics show that apartments sold at a realistic or slightly higher price (with a planned discount) ultimately achieve a higher price than when the owner starts with the strategy of setting a high price and gradually lowering it. Such apartments statistically achieve lower prices.” Ivan Varat, San Patrik Real Estate
Properties whose owners insist on an unrealistically high price usually stay longer in the advertising space, lose attractiveness, and raise doubts among potential buyers. “Interested buyers usually wonder what is wrong with the advertised property. There are fewer interested buyers, and then property owners usually have to lower the price below what they realistically could have achieved,” Ivan Varat, real estate advisor, further explained. Overpricing a property is a trap that owners easily fall into. However, selling a house or an apartment involves not only the component of its real value but also one that is much harder to determine – sentimental value. Approaching challenges like setting the price of your property is best done objectively, taking into account all its advantages and disadvantages within the market values.
How to sell an apartment quickly using marketing tricks?
When we are convinced of the real quality of our property, anyone who knows even a little about trading is aware of how important marketing is for a successful sale. But how to apply good marketing in property sales? Top-notch multimedia is actually the term Ivan chooses when explaining what is needed for the main marketing tool in selling a house or apartment – the advertisement.
‘’The multimedia really needs to be of high quality. It involves high-resolution photos that should not show dishes, laundry, or similar personal items. It is important to present the property, and visuals should be part of a beautiful advertisement. The marketing aspect is a crucial part of the sale,’’ Ivan Varat, real estate advisor.
Properties have significant financial value, so it is logical that the advertisement for their sale visually reflects such value. The advertisement should leave a professional impression, and this is achieved through high-quality, high-resolution photographs, and if possible, by including a floor plan that provides the buyer with information about the layout and sizes of the rooms in the apartment or house. It is best to take the photos during the day, with a quality camera (do not hesitate to hire a professional photographer) to present the property in the best light. This brings us to another key factor – preparing the property for sale or home staging.
How to sell a property quickly, taking into account all five senses of potential buyers
“When it comes to preparing a property for sale, it is important to pay attention to the small details that contribute to creating a complete picture. Usually, these details can be fixed with a small investment and psychologically contribute to creating a completely different impression that conveys that someone cares for the property and maintains its beauty,” said Ivan Varat.
Let us not forget that in this two-way channel of property sales, the emotional attitude of the buyer can also play a significant role. We all know the power of the first impression, and besides its role, decisive factors in closing a sale can be emotions and intuition. The emotional aspect sometimes motivates the buyer to overlook logical shortcomings of the property. That’s why real estate experts and home staging professionals advise that when preparing a property for sale, it should appeal to all five senses of potential buyers. 1.Clean the property and remove unnecessary items You can do it yourself or use cleaning services, but the end result should be the same – a spotlessly clean home! Start by removing personal items that could spoil the impression, such as accumulated dishes or laundry. Also, take a look at the ceilings and remove even the smallest specks of dust or remnants of spider webs. Refreshing the wall paint is definitely an advantage. The floors should also give the impression of immaculate cleanliness, even if you have pets. Take carpets for chemical cleaning and polish the parquet or tiles. Replace loose or broken details in your interior and perform minor repairs. 2.Warm welcome Before stepping into the interior, buyers will already form an impression of your property just by looking at its entrance. Clean the area in front of the entrance door and remove unnecessary items like shoes, umbrellas, etc.
If you have a yard, keep the lawn tidy and the plants healthy. Avoid asking potential buyers to take off their shoes because they are not your guests. Do not rush them and as a gesture of attention, place a bowl of candies or some tasty snacks. Allow the buyer to explore the interior of the property on their own. If you have entrusted the sale to a real estate agency, try to avoid being present during the viewing. Your potential buyer is in good hands.
3. Ensure a comfortable temperature Even if the buyer chooses the hottest day of the year, refrain from setting arctic temperatures through cooling devices. Feel free to lower the temperature by a few degrees once the interested buyers leave. Follow a similar logic during cold winter days. Buyers come dressed appropriately for the winter weather, so the temperature in the apartment should not project tropical heat.
4. Don’t leave lighting to chance It’s time to turn on every lamp, ambient light, or decorative lighting, even if it’s daytime. Moreover, let natural light pass through the curtains, raise the blinds, and window shutters. Keep the TV turned off. Don’t forget to leave the doors slightly open to allow interested individuals visual access to all areas—from the pantry to the interior of the closets.
5. Create an atmosphere Help buyers feel what life would be like in the property you are selling. If you have a fireplace, feel free to demonstrate how it contributes to the romantic ambiance at home. Pleasant and soft music is a trick used by many retailers to attract customers. Bring out your best accessories—velvet pillowcases, soft blankets, and similar additions can emphasize the comfort of your property.
6.Don’t forget about scent
- Instead of using scented cleaning products, let potential buyers enjoy neutral and relaxing notes. Avoid room fresheners or other artificial products. Instead, ventilate the rooms well and let the scent of baked goods or desserts fill the air, or simply simmer water with spices (don’t forget to turn off the stove on time).
Make your property competitive in every aspect!
