From how much outdoor living space is available to what schools are nearby, there are a lot of attributes about your property that you really cannot control or alter. However, one of the attributes that can make your home hard to sell is if it is located in an area where there is a high crime rate.
Buyers want to know that a home they choose to buy is a place where they can feel safe. Therefore, if there is a lot of crime in your neighborhood, it will be up to you to ensure they feel safe in your home in spite of what's happening in the neighborhood. Here are a few things that you can do to help sell your home if it is in a high-crime location.
Be willing to negotiate your asking price with buyers.
If there is one thing that lowers a home's value, it is it being situated in a bad part of town. Therefore, you have to make sure that your asking price is in line with the actual value of homes in the area. But you also need to make certain that the initial price you ask gives some wiggle room for negotiating with a buyer. If the buyer sees that the home is in a bad neighborhood, they may be willing to take the home anyway if they can get it for a good price and the house is up to their standards.
Be willing to add additional security features to your property.
Even if a neighborhood is deemed as not so safe in the eyes of a buyer, you can still make your home and property appear more secure. There are all kinds of ways you can elevate the security factor of your property without spending a fortune. For example, you could:
- Install a security system that will go with the home when it sells
- Erect a privacy fence around the perimeter of the property
- Implement high-quality locks and high-security doors
Be willing to provide details about the crime rate and personal experiences.
Transparency is extremely important to a buyer if they feel a little insecure about a home's location. It is much better to be upfront and honest about your personal experiences with crime in the neighborhood than for them to find this information on their own. You don't necessarily advertise that the neighborhood has had a high number of incidents, but be willing to share information when asked.