A vacation condo is a great asset to have, but when you’re no longer getting the enjoyment from it you once were, it’s time to sell. Selling a vacation condo is often straightforward since they are usually in a sought-after location. That said, you still need to be well prepared if you want to sell your vacation condo fast.
How to Sell Your Vacation Condo Fast
1. Make Sure You Understand the Condo Association Requirements
One of the downsides to condos over single-family homes is the fact that there are always condo association requirements you need to abide by, and this includes when you sell. Most condo associations have rules around how you market and sell your condo, and often who you can and can’t sell to. Get familiar with these rules now so you don’t waste time doing something the condo association forbids or get fined.
You should also be aware that you need to be up-to-date on your condo association fees before selling the home. If you need to sell but are behind on your payments and are worried about how you’ll catch up, reach out to us to see if we can help you with a solution.
2. Consider the Season
If you’re looking for a fast sale, rather than needing to sell now (if you’re looking to sell ASAP, then ignore this tip), selling your property in spring and early summer will ensure your condo attracts the highest number of buyers looking for a vacation property. This is especially true for Massachusetts since most people going on vacation in the fall and winter will think about going somewhere warm.
3. Price it Right
Pricing correctly is the most important thing when it comes to selling your vacation condo fast. If you overprice your condo you may find it doesn’t sell, and the longer it’s on the market, the less desirable it will be. If you plan to sell with a realtor, make sure you find someone experienced in selling vacation homes in your area and listen closely to what they think is achievable.
4. Find the Right Realtor
If you’re going to sell your home the “traditional” way, i.e., putting it up for sale through the MLS with a realtor, make sure you search around to find a realtor that has experience selling vacation homes. Remember that there are two kinds of people looking for vacation homes, families looking for a second or third home, and investors looking for a property to turn into a vacation rental.
A good realtor will be able to market to both potential buyers, emphasizing its potential as a business. If you already use your vacation condo for rentals, then they need to understand that they’re essentially selling a business, not just a home.
5. Make Sure It’s in Good Condition
While finding home buyers willing to do a bit of work on their new primary residence, most people looking for a vacation home will not be. They want a condo they can arrive at, kick off their shoes, and relax in. They aren’t going to come along with their toolbox. If your home will primarily attract people looking for a vacation home, try to ensure the property is in a good state of repair. Fix the kitchen drawer with the front that sometimes comes loose, stop the faucet dripping in the ensuite off the master bedroom, and the peeling wallpaper in the hallway.
If you can’t or don’t want to do any repairs, you can still sell your condo quickly, you just need to price it accordingly. You may also find it best to sell to an investor (like us) that buys vacation condos in as-is condition since it is the fastest option. We can often close in just 2-3 weeks.
6. Make Sure You Emphasize Its Good Points
If you are working with a realtor they should help you with this, but make sure you identify your condo’s best points so you can use them as selling points. You’ll want to include things like how long it takes to get to the beach or the closest trailhead, depending on what kind of person would be interested in your condo’s location. If your condo has a beautiful view, make sure your balcony is clean and set up to enjoy the view, even if it’s currently winter. Often, just a few little tweaks can draw attention to your condo’s best points.
7. Stage It
“Staging” is the term for making a home as presentable as possible for sale, with the widest range of appeal to potential buyers. Since your home is a vacation home, it’s likely already more sparsely decorated than your primary residence. That said, you should still look at your condo through critical eyes and think about if you should remove or rearrange anything in the home.
For example, take down family pictures, remove any excess furniture you only have to seat all your family members, clear the counters, and so on. You can find professional stagers who can do this for you.
To Sell Fast, Sell to an Investor
There is no faster way to sell a vacation home than to sell to an investor. We buy vacation condos and other properties in Massachusetts for cash and so we can go from offer to closing in as little as 3 weeks. If you don’t have the time or energy to sell your vacation condo through a realtor, we can help.
All you need to do is contact us with a few details about your property and we’ll give you our best cash offer. You’re under no obligation to accept, but if you do, we’ll call you to discuss your property in greater detail. You don’t need to do any repairs, staging, or negotiating. If you’re ready to sell right away, we can close in as little as 2 weeks.
To find out what we’ll offer you for your vacation condo, click here.