Staging Your Home
Preparing Your Home to Sell!
Just as you want to make a good first impression personally, you want your home to make a good first impression with Realtors and potential buyers. This is imperative if you want serious buyers. Here are some tips to acheive the results you want: a fast sale at the highest possible price.
-
Curb Appeal. This will be the buyers first impression as they drive up to your house. Make sure your grass is mowed and well seeded (no bare spots). Make sure gardens are well watered and weeded and trees are trimmed. Put out pots of flowers and make sure to sweep the walkway and porch. Make sure to keep all toys and gardening equipment out of sight. Be objective. Stand back and look at your house through the eyes of a buyer. Is it warm and inviting?
-
Get Rid of Clutter. Some people don't have the ability to see through the clutter and look at your house. They can't see through too much furniture, closets that are jam-packed, cluttered kitchen and bathroom counters, and an overabundance of your favorite collectibles. Since you are planning on moving anyway, start storing these items in boxes in your garage or storage facility.
-
Odors in the Home. Some people are extremely sensitive to odors. Make sure you eliminate any bad smells by keeping the cat litter box changed frequently, bathe your pets, shampoo your carpets, empty trash cans, recyclying bins and ash trays. Refrain from cooking foods with strong odors such as fish during the time your house is being shown. Place flowers or potpourri in the house, use air fresheners or put out baking soda. Burn fresh scented candles (avoid heavy scents).
-
Make Necessary Repairs. If buyers pick up on a few items in need of repair, they will wonder what else is wrong. Make sure all appliances are in working order. Fix leaky faucets and replace broken windows. If you have fixed a problem with a roof that leaks, make sure you repair any visible damage done by the leak. You can tell a buyer the problem has been fixed, but if they see water spots on walls and ceilings they may not believe it.
-
Look through a Buyer's Eyes. Walk up to your house and pretend you are house hunting. Does the house look inviting? Be picky. Would you buy this house? What would you change. Solicit the help of a friend to look at the house objectively to let you know what they would do to make it more presentable.
For more information on preparing your home to sell, please contact me.
