Any time you try to sell a home, you’re facing tough competition. At any given moment there are usually several other options for housing across your city. This means it’s your job to make sure your home looks inviting, tantalizing, and most importantly, like something someone would want to buy. Read on for tips on housing psychology that can help you sell your house faster and – ideally – for more money.

Housing Psychology Tip #1:  Make a plan

The amount of work that you should put into your house in order to sell it depends first and foremost on the market. If you live in a market where houses are snatched up and bought only minutes after being listed – and with no price negotiation – then chances are you don’t need to make any changes. While this does and has happened though, it’s rare. It’s much more likely that you are in a competitive market where houses like yours are in demand, but where your house isn’t the only one on the market. To determine your situation, start by looking at the number of houses for sale in your area. Find out how many houses sell in a single week. Decide whether you’re in a buyer’s or a seller’s market. A buyer’s market will mean you have to do a little more prep work to sell your house while a seller’s market means you’ll have to do less work.

Housing Psychology Tip #2:  Determine your likely buyer

Your next step is to figure out what kind of house your target buyer is looking for. Are you likely to attract young couples who are looking for a starter house? Is it more likely that large families will be interested in your house and your neighborhood? Is your housing area quiet and ideal for retired couples? It’s important to know this because pinpointing your target prospect will help you come up with an appropriate design plan for selling your home.

Housing Psychology Tip #3:  Understand the difference between prospects

The key reason you need to understand your target prospect is because the psychological needs of those prospects vary quite a bit. If you’re catering to first-time homebuyers, you should recognize their eagerness to claim a space that is their very own rather than one that requires them to bow to the requirements of landlords. Such buyers are looking for control and they’re looking to connect.

In contrast, those who are looking for a bigger home to accommodate a growing family are more interested in locating something with lots of space and accessible amenities. Often, they’re looking for a bump up in status through the purchase of a new house. Empty-nesters or retirees are typically looking for a low-maintenance area that offers convenience and little fuss.

By understanding the differences between possible buyers, you can construct a plan for home improvements that attracts your target prospect.

Housing Psychology Tip #4:  Be selective in your improvements

Remember that the point of making any improvements or enhancing any of your housing décor is so you can sell your house faster and for more money. This means you’ll want to be careful to buy only the things that will improve your sale price. Items that give you a good return on investment include new light fixtures and new bathroom features, upgraded appliances in the kitchen, and new carpeting. It also usually pays to tone down any bright paint jobs to something more neutral.

Housing Psychology Tip #5:  Don’t forget the outside

Many homeowners go to great lengths to improve the interior features of their homes and forget entirely about the outside. Curb appeal is important because it’s what gets prospects in the door. If your home is a drab color or hasn’t had a paint job in many years, it may be worth it to get a professional facelift for the exterior. Consider choosing bright colors that make your home stand out, but be sure that the colors you choose will still match the tone of the houses near yours. A quick word of caution:  most colors look darker when placed on large, open areas, so remember this as you opt for your home’s new exterior color.

Housing Psychology Tip #6:  De-clutter, de-clutter-, and de-clutter

One of the most desirable things every new buyer wants in a house is space. This means you need to rid your house of extra boxes, bags, books, and stacks of anything that resemble clutter. You may also want to move some of your furniture out of the house and into storage. Open and usable space is the ultimate goal.

A little goes a long way

Remember, it’s worth taking a little time to plan a few changes for the inside of your home – especially if it means you can command a much greater selling price. Put these housing psychology tips into practice and see how quickly they can pay off for you.