Black Homeowners Guide to Selling Your Home in a High-Crime Neighborhood
How do I sell my house?
If it’s a high crime area where I own,
How can I get over?
The high crime neighborhood I’m from
And sell the house I’ve known.
There are many books, articles, and brochures available that show people how to sell their homes. They offer tips, tricks and techniques to get the most out of your homes.
But one assumption runs through all of these books (many best sellers) and articles. What do most of them suppose? I’m glad you asked.
Everyone assumes you live in an average neighborhood. You know Leave it to Beaver, Mayberry, or George Jefferson-type neighborhoods. Have you noticed that? Or, at best, they assume you live in an average, middle-class neighborhood.
But what if you don’t fit into any of those molds? In fact, what if you live in a high-crime neighborhood? What do you do for a living? I sold my first two houses in high crime neighborhoods, so I can speak from experience.
There aren’t many real estate sales books that tell you how to sell your home in a high-crime neighborhood. In fact, selling a home in a high-crime neighborhood is the most challenging for obvious reasons.
No one chooses to live in a high crime neighborhood, let alone buy in a high crime neighborhood.
But if someone bought a house in a high-crime neighborhood, it’s usually for the following reasons.
1. It is all that the person can afford.
2. You are close to work, family, or another social reason.
3. It is for investment purposes. A way to start as a landlord.
4. It is a way to expand the real estate portfolio.
So we’ll touch on each of the 4 reasons and I’ll show you how to make your home more attractive to the 4 types of people who are most likely to buy your home.
I. It is all the person can afford
This is the person or couple just starting out; they are tired of renting an apartment. But they can’t afford a house in a better neighborhood.
You can attract this person by pricing your home or by structuring your offer to attract this first-time buyer.
Adding or having certain amenities for first-time buyers, such as newer appliances, flooring, and cabinets, can help sell your home in a high-crime neighborhood. And of course a good fence and lighting. Your home should look and feel safe.
II. You are close to work, family, or another social reason.
With gas prices and travel expenses rising every day, more people are wearing themselves out having to travel 2 hours a day.
Fortunately, if you live in an urban area, chances are you’re already close to where these people work, travel, and even play. So this is a case where the location will attract this buyer.
third It is for investment purposes. A Way to Start as an Owner.
Your house attracts this buyer as an initial investment. A way to enter the real estate investment game. They usually don’t have enough money, credit, or experience to buy in a more expensive neighborhood.
Therefore, your home would be a perfect option for them to start out and get their feet wet. You’ll want to make your home attractive to this buyer by making your offer low enough to attract them.
They will have to see the financial benefit on paper. Especially if you decide not to fix the property or if you are in a hurry to sell it.
IV. It is a Way to Expand the Real Estate Portfolio.
I call them the experienced investors. They are always on the lookout for a good deal. Neighborhoods don’t usually scare them. What scares them? Overpriced properties from which they cannot make a profit.
So if you want to attract them you have to sharpen your pencil and make them an offer they can’t refuse.
your secret weapon
Now that we’ve discussed the buyers you’ll want to attract, I’ll now talk about the secret weapon to have in your corner. That secret weapon is your agent.
But wait! I don’t mean any agent. I mean a top gun agent for your neighborhood. How do you know he or she is a top agent?
Easy, but you’ll have to do a little homework. Just look, ask and check.
1.Look
Look for real estate signs within a 3-mile radius of your home. Each sign usually has the name of the company and the agent, make a note of whose name keeps appearing.
2. Question
Ask for referrals from people you know have sold their home with that agent (Note: all the best agents have referrals).
3.Check…
Check to see if your best agent is equipped to sell your house? What does it mean that you have the attitude, motivation, and belief that you can sell it? Does he or she give you the confidence that he or she can sell it?
Conclusion
Now take all these tips and add your own motivation and work with your best agent. You will have a much better chance of selling your home in a high-crime neighborhood. Your agent should keep you informed about market conditions, interest rates, and buyer response.
The key is to make your home attractive to as many of the 4 buyers included in this message as possible. You will find that your house will sell faster than you think by following these simple tips.
