surely you have heard of people making all kinds of seemingly crazy offers to get their homes sold. If you aren’t using an agent, then perhaps you will use some of that “saved money” to entice a buyer. Sure, you can offer to pay their closing costs, but they expect that so it really won’t set you apart. What you offer depends on how badly you need to sell your home.
Here is a list of things you can offer to a prospective home buyer:
1. A years worth of mortgage payments. Sure it sounds crazy, but when you add it up, it’s just another incentive. I have seen it done, but it has to be done in accordance with the guidelines for whatever type of loan they are getting. You will need to consult a professional to pull this one off, but I will tell you it is being done.
2. Leave them your car. Heck, some builders are offering brand new cars (like BMW’s) to get homes sold.
3. Flat Screen TV. If it’s mounted, it will save you the trouble of moving it, and will certainly excite your buyer - especially if he is a man who loves sports. Not trying to be sexist here, just being real.
4. Furniture. If your prospective buyer is a young couple, this may entice them. Offer to leave living room, dining room, or bedroom furniture and see what kind of response you get.
5. Laptop. If they don’t have one, it might be the best $2,000 you spend. That’s right, if you are giving it away, don’t be cheap.
6. iPod. My wife and I feel like we are the only people in the US who don’t have iPods, but I know people fill out forms and enter all kinds of sweepstakes just to try and win iPods - the nice ones (I won’t let you be cheap here).
7. A weekend getaway. Offer them round trip airfare for two, plus a hotel, and spending money for food and a car rental.
As you engage your home buyer prospects ask them what they are looking for. The more you learn about them, the more you will discover what their hot button is which may lead you to offer them just the right incentive to buy your house.
What about you? Are you offering an incentive not listed here? Care to share with the rest of us?
I would offer six months of free lawn care especially if the house closes in the spring to early summer.
I remember purchasing my first home in June and being overwhelmed by what I had to do inside as well as what needed to be done outside. If I only had to concentrate on the interior, that would have been just fine with me!
Matt Keegan´s last blog post..Surprise: Home Sales Increase In December
Great idea Matt. I guess you could offer leave raking or snow removal as well depending on the season.