Here are some useful tips to consider when selling your home. Use these tips to attract potential buyers to gain interest in your home. The more you follow these small steps, the better chance you have in selling your home quickly. Read below of the eight most important things you can do to turn your home into a buyers dream.
You’ve seen them, we’ve all seen them. People hunkered down low in their cars in front of your house or your neighbors house, doing the slow drive-bys and the quick lawn sprints to grab a flyer before deciding whether to request a showing or attend an open house. Make these potential buyers fall in love with your home from the street by adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios, walkways and siding. Weed the garden and mow the lawn. It’s your first chance to make a good impression that your home is well cared for, so you’ve got to make it count. Your home’s exterior is your first chance to reel in buyers and make a great first impression. If they see an overgrown lawn or unattractive walkway, they’ll move on to the next house. That’s why it’s crucial to add “curb appeal” to the external attractiveness of a home from the street – before you even put your home on the market.
Make it sparkle, squeak and shine.
Pretend that your mother or mother-in-law is coming for a visit. Think hotel clean. Mop, dust, vacuum, wash windows, baseboards even the cat. Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks, in your closets and any where else they can. So, pay particular attention to places you normally overlook or odors you may have gotten used to. Also try avoiding even too much of a good smell such as air fresheners or candles as some people may be sensitive to fragrance. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose and fresh pair of eyes by having a friend come by for a small test.
Pay attention to color and light.
You may love hot pink and black in the bathroom, but too-bright colors turn buyers off. Neutralize strong colors for the broadest appeal. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of deterring someone. Also, open up blinds and possibly remove excess draperies to make sure there’s sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood.
Depersonalize and declutterize
Few things deter buyers more than a cluttered home. They need to see your home, not your stuff. Excessive and expensive personal items like photos, fine art, collections, personal awards, electronics and collectibles will make it difficult for buyers to see past your personal style and may deter a sale. Taking yourself out of the picture makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves, and their stuff, in your space. Remember strangers will be in your home, you do not want people remembering the faces of your children or brand of your new flat screen. Home invasions and break-ins do happen, make these unfortunate happenings less of a chance by having these things gone before your agent comes to take photos. Crowded closets and cabinets give the perception that your home lacks space. Get clutter under control by placing excess furniture and unnecessary items in storage and organizing each room. A simple portable locked outside shed or a month to month storage unit can be rented to store these things.
Consider removing or replacing furnishings.
Think about removing or replacing worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of extra pieces. The time has come to move beyond matching furniture, so breaking up your sets may make that good change. Dated can easily become eclectic with editing and rearranging. Consider consulting with a professional staging company or your agent for design direction and advice on rental furnishings to create an inviting home with broad appeal to a wide range of buyers. Displaying new artwork is a great way to breathe new life into a room. Photography can be used to con-temporize a room and add a splash of color as well.
Make repairs or finish your “honey-do” list
Fixer uppers get low-ball offers, if any at all. Don’t give buyers a reason to haggle on price. Make necessary repairs and invest in value-boosting updates. Prioritize by choosing projects that will give you the most return on your investment.
Make your home appear to be a low-maintenance high-priority zone. Oil squeaky hinges or adjust sticking doors. Replacing entire broken fixtures or just replacing a broken part are typically inexpensive and usually have matching decor. So spring for new light fixtures and water faucets. Renew the look of the room by replacing old or dated fixtures, door hardware, light switches, electrical outlets and plate covers. If it’s just plane tacky or older than you, get it out of there. Go to your local home improvement store, if you do not see your bathroom light fixture on the wall of displays it may be too out of date for potential buyers.
Apply a fresh coat of paint or touch up chipped or smudged more fresh paint as well as wipe down dirty walls or hand prints.
Painting is the best bang for your buck and will quickly refresh a dull, dated or too personal room. Slap a fresh, neutral color on the walls and a lighter or white on baseboards and trim, unless these are wood. Choose a beige or taupe for living spaces and a even more lighter neutral tone for bathrooms.
Don’t forget the floors.
Get rid of worn carpets, and consider refinishing worn hardwood floors. If it is in your budget upgrading your lanolin to ceramic tile upgrades and adds value to your home. An inexpensive new area rug is a quick fix and can disguise the look of worn carpet and old floors but it can also bring in added color and depth to a space.
