As a homeowner in New Jersey, you may find yourself staring down one of life’s curveballs and asking, “How can I sell my house fast?” Whether it’s a sudden job relocation, an unanticipated financial pinch, or an unexpected life event, navigating New Jersey’s dynamic real estate market swiftly and effectively can seem overwhelming.
Our guide offers you a roadmap, highlighting the two primary fast-selling strategies: securing an instant cash offer from a house-buying company or teaming up with a highly experienced New Jersey real estate agent. We’ll unpack the nuances of selling for cash and delve into the advantages of partnering with a top-notch New Jersey Realtor® to expedite the sale and still maximize your proceeds.
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Option 1: Sell your New Jersey house fast for cash
Selling your New Jersey house to a cash buyer allows you to cut through the traditional real estate process, such as inspections and repairs, home prep, and staging, and can significantly accelerate your home sale.
HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform connects you to the largest network of cash buyers in the U.S., including trusted buyers in New Jersey. We use the information you provide about your home, along with local neighborhood transaction data, to get you a convenient, no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as few as 10 days.
Here are the three steps in the Simple Sale process:
HomeLight was founded in 2012 and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. The company has 4.8 stars on Google based on hundreds of user reviews.
Who else will buy your New Jersey house for cash?
You can also find other cash buyers in New Jersey, such as house flippers, iBuyers, and investors, who will buy a house for cash. Here are examples of these businesses, the types of homes they look to purchase, and their process.
How to find a top New Jersey real estate agent
Finding the ideal real estate agent in New Jersey can play a crucial role in a fast and smooth home sale. HomeLight’s Agent Match platform is here to assist. By analyzing over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews, we can pair you with top-rated agents well-versed in New Jersey’s shifting market dynamics. Whether you’re buying or selling, HomeLight’s goal is to connect you with the best real estate professional for your specific needs.
10 strategies to sell a house fast in New Jersey
Top-performing New Jersey agents like Baylis and Nussbaum have an arsenal of successful strategies that attract buyers and make homes sell faster. And they are familiar with the buyer pool.
“New Jersey is step number two for New Yorkers moving down to Florida. Most people moving out go to Jersey, then to Florida. As they trickle down, the housing demand increases,” says Nussbaum.
Here are 10 expert strategies that can help you sell your New Jersey home fast:
1. Set your price competitively for the New Jersey Market
An experienced top agent will perform a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you set the best price to sell a house fast in your New Jersey market.
“If your home is priced strategically, you’ll get multiple offers,” says Baylis. Pricing a home too high means fewer potential buyers, and pricing it too low means you leave money on the table. It’s a tricky balancing act, but a top agent can help you.
“Pricing your home accurately drives offers. We’ve had situations where people sell their homes and get 15 to 20 offers. Recently, I sold a home for $25,000 over the asking price,” says Nussbaum.
If you’re curious about your home’s current value, try HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. While it shouldn’t dictate your final pricing strategy, an online home value estimate can give you a ballpark price range. You can get a preliminary estimate in less than two minutes.
2. Consider a pre-listing inspection
Home inspections can often hold up a sale. With a pre-listing inspection, you’ll know repair issues in advance and let the buyer know about issues before they make an offer, which saves time.
“I think it’s an excellent idea. I’m finding many buyers are waiving inspections, so we take care of any glaring defects. Cosmetic defects won’t usually affect your offer,” says Baylis.
3. Showcase outdoor space; it’s called The Garden State for a reason
New Jersey home shoppers love usable outdoor space. Extending your living space outdoors can be highly appealing to buyers. Consider how you might transform your outdoor area into an attractive oasis. This might include adding a complete furniture set, smoker, and television to watch the Jets or Giants play on a Sunday afternoon.
“Showcasing your outdoor area is huge. It’s especially helpful when you have dutiful landscaping and a swimming pool. The curb appeal draws people to a listing,” says Nussbaum.
3. Use the best technology to market your home
Using technology to market your home is vital because it allows you to reach a wider audience quickly and efficiently. Technology can help you create an online presence that will draw potential buyers in and give them the information they need to make an informed decision. With the right tools, a real estate agent can craft a comprehensive marketing plan to help you stand out from the competition and sell your home faster.
“Professional photos and video walkthroughs are essential. We showcase the home in its best light on Instagram, Facebook, Google Ads, and Facebook Ads. Social media is a huge aspect of marketing properties,” says Nussbaum.
4. Paint, pressure wash, and plant
A fresh coat of paint can help the home look clean and modern, while pressure washing can help remove dirt and debris from the house’s exterior. Landscaping can also add curb appeal and make the home look inviting.
“Minor landscaping, planting flowers, and power washing the outside of the house make all the difference in the world. The cost-benefit ratio is strong,” says Baylis.
“No one’s going to bid on an overgrown house and that looks like no one has taken care of. You want to show the house in its best light,” says Nussbaum.
5. Make your house stand out for New Jersey buyers
Decluttering your home before putting it on the market is essential for a successful sale. Decluttering helps to make a home look bigger, cleaner, and more inviting to potential buyers. It also allows prospective buyers to envision their belongings in the space and better visualize themselves living there.
“The best-selling strategy for me is to declutter. Fewer belongings are better. Help your buyer imagine themselves in your home by removing your knickknacks,” says Nussbaum.
After you declutter, your home is ready to stage. Staging increases the perceived value of your home by highlighting its positive aspects and downplaying any negative ones. It can help you get a higher price for your home when it comes time to sell. Staged homes sell faster than unstaged homes, so you can close the sale more quickly.
“We analyze what a buyer sees when they come into a room. We’ll professionally accessorize it and present a beautiful home to potential buyers,” says Baylis.
6. Increase the light in your home
Good lighting is essential when selling a home as it can make a space more inviting and attractive. Lighting highlights features of the house, such as architectural details. Good lighting can also help create an atmosphere that potential buyers will find appealing. By using different types of lighting, such as natural, accent, task, and ambient lighting, sellers create a warm and inviting atmosphere in their homes that will draw in potential buyers.
“Lighting is as important as decluttering. We’ll check for working lights and replace ones that need it,” says Nussbaum.
7. Focus on the right repairs
Cosmetic repairs may include painting, updating fixtures, and cleaning up the landscaping. Structural repairs may include fixing foundation issues or replacing outdated plumbing and electrical systems. Consider the cost of repairs versus the return on investment when deciding on repairs.
“If there is a leak, you’ve got to repair that. Anything that has a visual aspect needs repairing. If something is outdated but functional I don’t recommend a repair or renovation. The main thing is if something will come up during an inspection, it’s better to be proactive and repair it beforehand,” says Nussbaum.
8. Advertise your neighborhood’s walkability
Walkability is important for many New Jersey buyers. This makes it critical for sellers to highlight parks, coffee shops, and local restaurants in the neighborhood.
“In New Jersey, we’re seeing more community-oriented buyers. They like living in a nice-looking area and interacting with people. That’s why clubhouses are becoming more popular. People like their neighborhoods and communities to be walkable,” says Nussbaum.
9. New Jersey buyers love additional space for lodging or an office
If your property has an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU), such as a mother-in-law cottage, emphasize this in your listing. If you sell a home with large square footage or a home office, leverage these.
“Any time you have extra living space is a plus. If you have an additional guest house or space for an office, I would highlight it as a selling point,” says Nussbaum.
10. Take advantage of New Jersey market timing
Along with the recommendations above, it can be helpful to know the level of market activity in your New Jersey market during different times of the year. HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator uses housing market data for your city to show you the best and worst months to sell your home. See the best time to sell a house to make the most money and which months are best to sell your house fast.
Ready to sell your New Jersey home?
As you can see, a top real estate agent in New Jersey can help you navigate the nuances you might not otherwise discover until you’re deep into the process. Their organizational efficiencies and marketing expertise can help you sell your New Jersey house fast.
If you need an even faster sale, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides cash offers for homes in almost any condition in New Jersey. If you don’t have the time or the means to prepare your home or move through the traditional listing process, you can skip the repairs and showings and close in as few as 10 days. Complete a short questionnaire and receive a no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours.
Writer Stacy Sare Cohen contributed to this story.
Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr / Unsplash)