Putting your home on the market can be a bit nerve-wracking but also exciting! Often times, it is difficult for the seller to see their home through a potential buyers eyes given the emotional attachment they may have to the home. Here are a few general tips to prepare your home for selling!
1) Declutter, declutter, declutter!- Buyers can often be distracted by too much going on, so the less clutter the better. Clear off your countertops, clean out your closets, put those old boxes up in the attic, etc. Even a busy refrigerator can be distracting. Do you want buyers walking through to focus on your vacation photos and wedding invites you have posted on your fridge or the fact that you have a brand new fridge? Less is more here.
2) Cleanliness is next to godliness- Don’t overestimate the importance of a professional cleaning. Pet hair can cause allergy attacks, dust can distract, and hair in the tub can leave buyers feeling dirty. Not to mention, some houses have a scent that its occupants don’t even notice because they are so accustomed to it. Eliminate these obstacles by having the home professionally cleaned right before listing, and maintain it from there
3) Neutralize your decor- Your clown collection might be cute to you, but trust me, not everyone feels that way. The less busy a space is, the easier it is for buyers to imagine their own belongings in it. This goes for paint colors as well. Busy paint colors can sometimes make a space feel small, dark, or unattractive to the buyer. Keep the space neutral so the buyer has no trouble envisioning themselves and their decor there
4) Stage your vacant listings- I push staging so much you’d think I profit, but I sincerely just believe in its power. Statistics show staged listings sell faster and closer to their list price, and I have seen this in action. Staging gives vacant listings the warm, “homey” vibe while also showing buyers how the space can be used. Is it an upfront cost, yes. But if it saves you an extra mortgage payment or two, or keeps you from a price reduction, it pays for itself
If you are thinking about listing your home, keep these tips in mind. Every home is different, yes, but this is a great place to start. Feel free to contact me for my personal opinion on what to do to get your home sold!