Getting your home ready to sell can be a big job, but if you take the time to do it right, it can also make a huge difference in market perception and even sales price. 901 Properties has the scoop on where to focus your time and effort to get the most bang for your buck.
Let’s get to it…
Clean and declutter
Yeah, we know this should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve seen unkempt, disorganized and even dirty rooms. It’s an immediate turn-off to buyers.
Declutter first — remove nearly everything from kitchen counters, organize your home office, clear out the garage, clean out closets so they’re not packed full and look bigger, straighten up kids’ rooms and remove all their knickknacks, stuffed animals, trophies, etc.
So, where should you put all that stuff?
First, consider donating some of it. For the rest, if you have enough storage space in a basement or attic, neatly put it there. Otherwise, get an off-site, inexpensive storage unit.
Kitchen and bathrooms
It’s pretty expensive to fully update these spaces. (Though, if you have the money, it’s a great return on investment. Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes!)
A fresh coat of paint and new cabinet pulls and knobs are quick and cost-effective ways to enhance these important rooms. Here’s another tip: replace your old, dingy towels with clean, new ones.
Curb appeal
Simply make sure the lawn is mowed and bushes are trimmed. If there are any missing stones or bricks on a walkway, get them fixed — that could be a safety issue you certainly want to avoid.
Add some color with a fun doormat and potted flowers to make the front door more welcoming. A first impression is a BIG factor for buyers. A 2018 NAR survey showed that 17% of realtors said that a landscape maintenance project recently resulted in a sale.
Photos
While you might have been told that all family photos need to disappear when showing a house, that’s not quite true. Buyers can be inspired by your décor, and you do want the house to feel loved and lived-in. Do consider taking down any large wall displays with multiple frames that might make a space feel cluttered. The idea is to keep it simple, but still personal.
Bring Mother Nature inside
Put some lush green plants and colorful flowers around your house. It brings your space to life and makes it feel a little bigger, transitioning from outdoors into your home.
Light ‘em up
Take a look at your light fixtures, an often overlooked and forgotten showtime aspect. They can easily become outdated without anyone realizing it. You don’t need to replace EVERY light and can mainly just focus on ceiling fixtures. You can find affordable options at home improvement stores and on clearance online. And check your bulbs while you’re at it – adding the highest wattage that’s compatible with your fixtures will brighten the space and make the lighting feel more consistent throughout.
Add mirrors throughout the house because they add brightness by amplifying the natural light that comes into your space. Plus, they make rooms feel bigger.
Also, open the curtains to let natural light shine through and to show off the beauty of your home.
Follow these tips, and your home will be “For Sale” sign-ready!
We’re here to help.
Reach out to our experienced 901 Properties realtors and property managers for specific ideas on how to best prepare and stage your unique home to sell.
