Getting a Home Ready to Sell
There are a million lists out there that tell sellers what to do in order to get their home ready to sell. It’s important to not get overwhelmed and focus on things that will really get the job done. Different markets help determine what a lot of people are willing to do. If it’s a hot market for sellers then they are less likely to spend much to get their home staged. Here are a few tips that are inexpensive and effective:
Take down personal items. We all love to have family portraits and pictures hanging in our homes, but during this time it’s not ideal. You want the new family to picture themselves living there, and having pictures of another family hanging up makes it harder to envision. It also helps limit the number of decorations out, which leads me to suggestion #2.
Declutter. Feel free to start packing and move the boxes to the garage or a storage unit. I suggest starting by taking down pictures and decor to make the home seem bigger. Pack up dishes you don’t use often and just keep one matching set.
Let in the light. Touring a dark home is not the most welcoming way to see a home for the first time. Make sure you open curtains or blinds. Also, replace any light bulbs that may be burnt out. It’s a cheap fix and makes a big difference.
Keep it neutral. Sellers usually want anyone to be able to picture themselves living there, so choosing a bright pink wall paint might not be the best idea. If you have bright colors in your home, I suggest picking a neutral color to paint over it (just remember: you can’t paint your next house whatever color you want).
Clean! There’s nothing worse than walking into a home and seeing a filthy bathroom with stains or a dirty kitchen with a sink full of dishes. Do your best to keep your home clean and tidy while trying to sell it. It will be much more appealing to buyers.
Make it smell nice. If you have a showing then I highly recommend being aware of the aroma tonight’s dinner may give off (maybe hold off on the fish). Light a vanilla candle or bake some cookies. Do not have heavy scents! Buyers will likely think you are trying to cover something up or they may not like the scent you’ve chosen.
Take care of the yard. If your home has a yard then make sure it’s up to par. Pull the weeds, mow, plant some annual flowers (weather permitting). Don’t go overboard, but investing a little bit to make the curb appeal better will definitely help intrigue buyers.
Rearrange. Move your furniture around to make the best use of the space. Your couch might not be facing the television anymore, but it may be more open for buyers to envision the space.
All of these tasks can slip through the cracks for many homeowners, but it’s important if you’re getting ready to list your home for sale. Following these tips will definitely get you on the right track to selling your home fast.
