What are the top things you can do to sell your home?
If you're considering selling your home and not sure where to start, here are a few tips to help ease you through the first steps.
Tip 1: Get organized & clean
Before putting your home on the market, the first thing you must do is get your home in move-in ready condition. When a home looks well-maintained and clean, they sell faster and for a greater price.
Here’s how to do it:
Depersonalize: Remove any personal items like family photos and personal collectibles or decor that has a specific taste like busy wallpaper or loud accent walls.
De-clutter: Keep only what is necessary and store the rest away. You want the charm of a lived in home, but you don't want potential buyers to get distracted by a lot of stuff.
Clean: Ensure the house is as spotless as possible. If you have the money, invest in a deep cleaning if you need it. Make sure walls, counters, door, handles and fixtures are free from dirt and dust. Add scented candles or sprays, but not with scents that overpower the rooms.
Tip 2: Make any necessary repairs
What some home owners see as minor repairs, potential buyers can consider possible issues in the future. Take for instance a stain on the ceiling that was caused by a fun food fight night with the kids. A buyer sees as a red flag and a past leak problem. Take care of the minor things to eliminate any concerns.
What to consider:
Paint: It may not be necessary to repaint your entire house, but make sure to touch up any areas that have chipped or been damaged. Make repairs to any holes in the wall before painting.
Update Fixtures: People have no idea how much value you can add just by updating fixtures. New faucets, door knobs, lights, and ceiling fans can easily be replaced for a few hundred dollars vs. the buyer wanting to take thousands off of the sales price. Trust me it's worth the small investment even if the buyer decides on changing them out themselves later. Brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze are simple and classic looks.
Kitchens & Bathrooms: I should bold this and underline it for emphasis. These are the two most critical areas that can make or break a deal. Make sure all appliances are in good working order. Ensure that all cabinets in bathrooms and the kitchen are free from rot or water damage and that all cabinet doors and drawers open and close smoothly. Fix any chips or peeling to create a nice, functional, and well maintained look.
Tip 3: Don't forget the exterior
Your house can be great on the inside, but the first step is to get someone in to see it. If the exterior is not well maintained or the yard looks a mess, you may likely miss the chance to have someone want to view it. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but let's face it most of us do. Curb appeal adds instant value to your home and takes you one step closer to finding a buyer.
What to do:
Exterior of the Home: Make sure the front door is clean, in good shape, and that the door bell works. Replace any old and dirty door/welcome mats to one that truly presents a welcoming feeling. Repair/Replace Siding, Wood, or Bricks that are damaged. If any boards are chipped including baseboards and around windows, replace as needed.
Lawn Maintenance/Landscape: Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, remove any weeds, and plant flower beds to add seasonal colors. If you're selling in the winter, it makes the lawn maintenance much easier. Keep lawn free of debris and trash.
Fixtures: Don't ignore the outdoor fixtures. Ensure all outdoor light fixtures are in good working condition and that mail box and house numbers are appealing. Paint can do wonders on a rusted mailbox.
Patios/Decks: Outdoor furniture, rugs, & grills, should also be cleaned and well maintained. Though this is typically not a deal breaker, people want to envision themselves in this space so the more appealing it looks the greater the chance of you getting interested buyers who are willing to pay the top price.
Once you have tackled getting the exterior and interior of the house cleaned, repaired, and organized you are officially ready to put the home on the market. The next most important step is to find a Realtor that you trust to guide you through the process.
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