How to Sell Your House in 90 days or Less

How to sell your house in 90 days or less!

First, buy a house in a demand neighborhood, especially if you plan to move again in 5 years or if you have a short time period to sell when you do move (frequent job transfers, etc). Take your time looking for a house like this. It might cost you more but it will save you in the long run when you have to sell.

If you aren't moving in 5 years or less you can pick a less expensive or desired neighborhood, but be smart. Don't buy the house with termites because it's cheap, or the house next to the paper mill. If you do buy in one of these neighborhoods, be sure you have time when you sell to wait, because the turn around is longer.


Now to sell- before you put your house on the market get rid of your CRAP. Have garage sales. I made $750 at three garage sales where all I did was clean out my attic and garage. People buy your junk, believe me. Those beach chairs with the footrests that we always forget to bring? Sold those. A half full box of stationery? Sold that. Three unmatched top sheets? Sold those. You'd be surprised what people will buy.  If you don't sell it bring it to Goodwill and get a receipt. You can itemize it on your taxes.

Then the outside of your house- make sure it looks presentable. Is the landscaping new or overgrown with weeds? Can you walk up the sidewalk without being tripped by grass that needs to be edged? How does the front of your house look? Does the front door need replacing? Is it skewed in the frame? Think about what it would look like to a potential buyer.

Then organize the inside. The rule of thumb is three items on any surface that is visible to a buyer. You will want some surfaces free of anything- they look cleaner that way. In other words, put away all your knick knacks and clutter for later. If you have children, put the toys away in a cabinet or use the attic. Underbed boxes work very well for your clutter, just make sure they are not visible.

You want to make your house attractive to anyone, and they need to be able to visualize themselves in your home. A few family pictures are great, but all of your family members don't need to be seen by a potential buyer. Nor do all of your kids' toys. If your house is overrun with them (like ours is), put as many as you can away and the ones you can't put in storage or your car for open houses. Many buyers don't have children, and will need to be able to see past the things you leave out.

Clean, clean, clean. Scrub the windows. Clean the floors. Sweep, mop, and mop again. Polish the fixtures in the bathrooms. Wipe the kitchen counters until they shine. Clean houses look like they are taken care of, and potential buyers appreciate a house that is well kept.

Plan to be aggressive in pricing. Ask your realtor to see comps of your neighborhood (comparable housing). Ask to see not just list prices, but sale prices. That will give you an idea of where to start and how much you might have to drop the price if you want to sell fast.

Plan to have open houses. We had them every other weekend until the house sold. Be mindful of football Saturdays and Sundays in the fall- they can be right in the middle of your open house. Keep the house clean in between open houses so it is easy to show.

Get some good smelling room spray or candles. Cinnamon is a favorite smell during the holidays. Fresh baked cookies give the house a great smell too. Have some quiet music playing or maybe a game on the TV- something that appeals to everyone.

Don't forget to upgrade- kitchens and bathrooms mean a lot to buyers. If there is a faucet you have been meaning to replace or a sink that needs silicone, do it before you list your house! Energy efficient windows, new doors, new flooring, and fresh paint all add value to your house in the buyer's eyes. New light fixtures or fans are a nice touch too (but you did that when you moved in, right?).

Keep your pets restrained. Many buyers are allergic to cats or dogs. Make sure the house is as free of pet hair as you can get it. You don't want a buyer sneezing her way through an open house because you haven't swept or vacuumed in a week! And please, clean the litter box. Eric and I looked at a house once with a dirty litter box in every closet. We got out of there fast!

Less is more. If your rooms are all cluttered with furniture, it makes them look small. Move some extra furniture to the attic or to a friend's house, or sell it. You don't really need four end tables in one bedroom, do you? Small bedrooms are especially vulnerable to too much furniture.

Finally, relax. Say a prayer to St. Joseph, bury him in your front yard, and leave it up to a higher power. Once you have done everything you can to make your house presentable, it is up to God (and maybe a realtor) to find you the right person to buy your house. Have faith, it will happen!

P.S. If you have old linoleum, wood paneling, or old carpet, replace it already! No one wants to walk into a house and have to replace something right off the bat.