GETTING YOUR HOME READY TO SELL
In order to get you the highest price possible for you home, it will make sense to put in a little effort to make it show its best. Sometimes that means a simple tidying. Other times, some larger repairs. But all of it is optional. You decide how much effort is worth it to you. I can help you identify what fixes will give you the most bang for your buck and return on investment, but the basics are easy!
To help your home show its best, a few simple steps will go a long way:
Curb Appeal: You’ve heard the old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, most buyers will do just that. Make sure the front of your hows shows the best it possibly can. If your paint is tired or dirty, power-wash or paint your house. Freshen up your landscaping. Remove lawn ornaments. You only get one opportunity to make a first impression. Focus on making your homes as clean and welcoming as possible.
De-clutter! Simply putting some things away or in storage can make all the difference. You want potential home buyers to see your house, not be distracted by your things. The key is to have your home be inviting and allow buyers to envision themselves and their things in it. Since you are planning to move anyway, now the perfect time to thin out the things you no longer need and box up what you can and put them in storage. Your home does not have to be perfect - just tidy and clean. That means closets and cabinets too. Having at least 1/3 of each shelf available will showcase how much room there is.
Deep Clean: We want your home to show its best. It’s like getting ready for a first date or a job interview. Clean or replace dirty grout. Dust under furniture. Steam clean the carpets. Have the windows professionally cleaned inside and out. Make everything shine. A profession cleaning service can take care of everything.
Fresh Paint: Over time paint can get discolored, dinged or dirty. Fresh paint in contemporary colors will make your home feel fresh and new again. This alone can bring your home thousands more dollars in the sales price.
Bold colors can be attractive, but will not be to everyone’s liking.
Painting a neutral color and staging with art and furniture elevates the space to a higher price point.
Get Rid of Odors: Smoke, pungent foods, pet odors… The worst odors tend to stick around and will turn off some buyers. Some odors stay in carpet, drapes and even walls. Cleaning may help. Painting may help. There are some deodorizing products that work, as well as baking soda or charcoal packets. Unfortunately, masking a scent with lots of fragrances and candles does NOT help - it only makes the problem worse and may be problematic for sensitive noses. If you have strong odors, start airing out your house now and try to address the source of the odor if possible.
Fix the Obvious: You do NOT need to fix everything in your house. Some items are worth fixing, some are worth selling as-is or offering a partial credit to the buyer later. Unless you are selling your home AS-IS, as a fixer, making visible repairs or the items that are quick and easy are a no-brainer. Dripping faucets, broken outlet covers, burnt-out light bulbs, broken windows, broken hardware… We can walk through your house and put together a list of what it needs. If you really want to be proactive, we can get you a pre-listing inspection so you know exactly what to expect when we have a buyer, or fix the items that make more fiscal sense to repair now. It could save a lot of headaches by preventing surprises when we do have a buyer for your home.
Staging: I will help you with some decorative items to stage your home, like bedding, throw pillows, and other decor. Depending on your situation, we may need to pull in a professional stager to furnish your home as well. Homes that are staged typically sell for up to 10% higher than unstaged homes. You do not need to stage your home, but it can make a huge difference. The most common rooms to stage are the living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and the dining room.
An empty room can seem cold and purposeless
The right decor can bring the room to life.
Furnishings can be great, but large pieces can make the space feel crowded.
An empty room can make it difficult to envision how to use the space.
Staging highlights the features of the home and gives buyers an idea of how to use the space.
Some Highlights:
The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Profile of Home Staging.
62% of seller’s agents say that staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.
50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar-value offers from buyers.
77% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the home as their own.
Contact me to Get Started
When you’re ready, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. It doesn’t matter if you are thinking of moving next week, next month, or next year. I will give you recommendations on what you can do to make sure it shows its best and sells for top dollar.