When selling or buying a house, one factor becomes the elephant of them all, size. As much as many people like retirees are willing to shift to smaller houses, they still want to find big rooms inside the small houses. This makes it a real challenge when it comes to selling small or tiny houses.
Small houses can be more difficult to sell for several reasons. They are typically more cramped and more difficult to live in. However, size is not the only factor that matters when it comes to selling property. In real estate, location and price have a far bigger influence on how fast a house sells.
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Why are small houses hard to sell?
There are a handful of reasons why small houses pose a challenge to sell.
1. Poor design
Small houses can be difficult to design due to their size. In the modern era, many people want modern designs done in their houses. This includes walls, floors, and even ceilings. Size is a key factor in designing thus making it a challenge with small houses.
2. Poor state of the house
Small houses can sometimes be poorly managed due to the fact that their size cannot accommodate all house stuff. Cluttering of house stuff, unpainted walls, and poor repairs make small houses a challenge to sell. People will always look for bigger and better houses with better storage.
3. Accommodation
Shifting into a small house can be cost-effective, but the expectation of big rooms in a small house in order to accommodate items or family still lingers in people’s minds. The fact is that a small house cannot host a large room unless it is a large single room.
4. Priority
A lot of people choose not to buy small houses because they prioritize bigger spaces. A spacious living room bedroom or kitchen can be more comfortable than a tiny enclosed room hence more spacious houses are prioritized than small ones.
5. Convenience
Convenience is a factor when house hunting. Small houses can be inconvenient at times. You have friends visiting or family members who will want to spend a night or two but due to lack of space and rooms, they opt not to. This can be disturbing to both parties and makes the selling of small houses a hitch.
6. Limited benefits
Generally, there are minimal benefits of living in small houses than spacious houses. The most common benefit if not only one is saving on utility costs, which can rather be argued about.
7. Crowding
Small houses get crowded faster due to their size. Depending on the number of household items you possess, or the extent of your family, small houses come with congestion. It may be that extra-long couch or big bed that will take the whole space in a certain room that will cause this.
8. Ventilation
This is a common hindrance in selling small houses. Many are poorly ventilated with small windows thus allow less light into the rooms. This turns off the majority of clients. Ventilations are a key factor in houses and small ones might just prove futile to sell.
9. Storage
Small houses commonly come with less storage. With houses, storage is also a major concern as you will want to stockpile your extra house possession. Storage also counts as an allowance in the house. With less to no storage rooms in small houses, it is hard to sell them.
How to sell a small home faster
Even though these small houses can be difficult to sell, there are ways you can sell them faster. Many sellers focus on the size factor when selling these houses instead of what the small house lacks and what buyers really want.
The following are some ways you can sell small or tiny houses:
1. Repair
Repairing a small house could be essential when selling it. This will enable it to look more attractive to buyers and could increase its value too. You might even consider changing its design to a modern one.
Repainting of walls, changing of tiles and aerating rooms properly could do well for selling of these houses.
2. Declutter
Removing unwanted stuff from the house before showcasing it for sale can help. Cluttered items should be removed and clothes folded into a basket to make the house look clean. A congested house will look smaller whereas a decongested and well arrange small house will look bigger than its normal size.
You can also create storage solutions for your clients which will help sell the house.
3. Proper lighting
Many small houses are only lit from one side or have fewer bulbs for lighting. The fact that the house is already small does not mean you should add proper lighting to it. Good lighting is an attraction to many people. Consider putting up nice chandeliers to counter the size of the small house for sale.
You can also invent corner lamps that point upwards, making the room not only bright but also beautiful.
4. Outline benefits of living in small or tiny houses
When selling a small house, it is key to sell its advantages too. Advantages like cost-effectiveness and simplicity count more when selling these types of houses. Small houses also save on electricity and water usage making them ideal for those reducing living costs.
5. Sell the outdoor area of the house
This can be very helpful when selling a small house. Focus on the exterior of the house and its environment. The lawn should be healthy and well shredded, making the environment conducive for sale. Landscaping should also be well done to counter the size of the house.
Such environmental factors count when selling small houses because the buyer will not focus on the house size only. Remember small houses can be tough to sell but surely not impossible. Times have also changed and more people desire better designs in houses, whether small or big.
The comfortability of a small house matters despite its size. There are major changes in small house designs and many designers are venturing more into small spaces than large spaces. Taller walls and bright cozy lighting, better ventilation, and well-placed windows have changed the designs of small houses.
A better house design can easily shift a buyer’s focus from size.
In addition, always capitalize on location and outdoor when selling small houses. Security, availability of shopping areas, schools, churches, and malls can easily encourage buyers to buy a small house. Cozy private outdoors can be prioritized too.
Who would not want a breathtaking serene environment surrounding their small house?
Factors that influence market pricing
It is also important to note that when pricing your small house, try not to fall outside the market value. Many sellers want to get more than the house itself and some get frustrated to sell the small houses for less for lack of patience. Be sure to get a realtor to give you realistic prices for your house.
Some of the factors that contribute to house pricing include:
1. Neighborhood
Houses next to the one you are selling determine its price majorly. Buyers will always compare prices basing on the neighboring houses. If the house next door has a lower value, then the chances of your house selling will be minimal. Be sure of your house pricing by:
- Looking for recently sold homes in the neighborhood to get their prices and compare.
- Compare with houses not more than a block away.
- Compare with houses that have similar features.
2. Location
The location of the house determines its pricing in many ways. A small house that is next to a shopping center or good school or college can be more pricy than a small house sitting away from town or an urban center.
In most cases, the location of the house affects its security too thus a more communal environment possesses less threat to security than a single house.
3. Condition
The condition of a house definitely matters when pricing it. An old house will for a sure cost less than a newly built house with a modern design. Areas like electrical wiring and plumbing count more as aged houses will pose more breakdowns and repair threats than new ones.
With an aged house, the roofing will also pose a major challenge. In most cases when selling an old house, the roof should be changed completely. No buyer will want to have water dripping inside the house.
4. Renovation
It is wise to renovate and revamp your house before selling it. You can add new designs that will make the house look more modern and in return favor the pricing. Re-painting and changing old wood and rust steel can be vital as it not only improve the look of the house but also increases its value.
5. Market
Your house could be new or in a very good condition, with a great outdoor experience, but if the market is not flocked with buyers looking for what you have, your house might still cost less. This will even affect the time your house will take to be sold.
When the markets are flocked with buyers looking for the exact house you are selling, it will no doubt be beneficial as the pricing will increase and you might end up selling for more. The market effect comes hand in hand with the economic state. Tough economic times will equal poor pricing.
