If you are really ready to get your home sold, these tips are a must. It’s tough to compromise our normal course of living to get that home sold, but it’s temporary and it’s worth it!!
- Clutter - Those stacks of books on your bedside table (I currently have some on the floor and on the table so I know), the stack of bills and mail on your kitchen counter, magazines that you’re going to get to one of these days – all of it- must go! No appliances on the kitchen counters. Counters should be clean and clear.
- Odors - Please don’t smoke in your home. Better yet, don’t smoke. If you must, be aware, the odor carries into your home on your clothes and buyers notice. One of the number one deterrents for a buyer is smoke odor. Second is surely pet odors. If you have pet urine odors – replace your carpet before you list. It really isn’t optional. Not only will buyers expect a credit anyway, many buyers won’t even consider the property regardless of the other things they like. The candles and Plug-Ins aren’t going to help these two sale killers – smoke and pet odor.
- Furniture – This is often best discussed with a staging company. In lieu of that, talk openly with a friend (a frank one) or your agent. Are there pieces that are too big for the space? Can something be repositioned or removed that make the space appear larger and more usable? Is there a piece that looks tired or worn? Throw it out or take it to storage. Remember, your goal is to move. Storing somethings temporarily to open up the space is worth the effort. Also, would adding a simple piece make the space more easily undersood?
- Bedding - This is something that can really change the feel of a bedroom – for better or for worse. Old worn out, overly personal looking bedding can be a real turnoff for a buyer.
- Bathrooms – Get everything personal off the counters. Clean, Clean, Clean. Keep all toilet lids DOWN.
- Light and Bright- I wish I had a dollar for every time a buyer said that one of the things most important to them in their new home was a feeling of openness, light and bright. Turn on every light for every showing. It seems silly, but trust me, it makes a difference. Open the drapes or shutters. Airy and open is a must to many of your potential buyers.
- Plants – Make sure that you have beautiful plants in your home that look strong and healthy. They are simple, inexpensive and wonderfully effective at warming up a space. This can add such a feeling of ‘home’ and you can often take them with you if you are moving locally.
- Curb Appeal – Notice how your home looks as you pull up. Is the yard well manicured and healthy? Are there flowers to give color? Some buyers are looking for the property to ‘hit them’. They want to feel a ‘wow’ when they drive up to it. Give the curb appeal a little ‘wow’ and it can go a long way.
- Paint and Paper- Rarely will a buyer like your wall paper. There are certain papers that I love but I have yet to see one occasion where a buyer says, “Ooh, I love this wall paper.” It’s generally too personal in taste. Remove it. As for paint, neutral, neutral, neutral. You may love it and it may work with your decor but You aren’t going to live here anymore. The goal – allow the largest number of buyers to feel at home here as possible. Neutralize.
We will continue to revisit ideas and tips to prepare your home for sale. I know what your thinking – ‘This is a lot of work’, or ‘Is all this really necessary?”. The answer is yes, it’s a lot of work and it is all necessary if you want to get your home SOLD and you want to maximize your return.
Some of these small tips can earn $1,000’s of dollars in a sale price. Your competition is getting the same advice. Make sure that your are ready to compete. Good luck!
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Linsey is very much ON POINT with this post. From my personal experience, I’ll share two words that will simplify this post. PAINT AND CARPET! I don’t know how many times homes have sold in less than 30 days because of new carpeting and a fresh coat of neutral paint. If you are motivated to sell your home, please remember those two words and refer to Linsey’s blog as a resource.
David,
Boy, I wish I had said that first. Paint and carpet – paint and carpet! If you can do this in neutral colors, as you suggest, what a difference it can make.