Prepping Your House To Sell
Many people believe putting their house on the market is as easy as riding a bike. This is a huge misconception! There are many steps in preparing your home to sell for top dollar. Below we are going to give you some amazing tips to help guide you through this process!!
Cleaning Out
The first step when you’re thinking about putting your house on the market is to start throwing things out! We’re talking about the clutter that has built up throughout the years. Start with one room at a time. Closets are a great first step. Go through each one and have bags / boxes for things you want to get rid of. Have several for donations as well. Separate each and go through closets in the bedrooms, hallways, attic, etc. Renting a POD is a smart idea. It’s dropped off to you and picked up when you’re finished. Start tossing stuff that you know will not be traveling to your new home with you. Look for donation centers in your area. If you have larger items, such as appliances and furniture, they may offer a free pick-up service. For smaller items, reach out to local non-profit agencies, such as a Rescue Mission or Salvation Army. Perhaps, your community has a Facebook page where families are in need. There are many options to clear out items that you no longer need.
Declutter & Depersonalize
Removing personal items in removing personal items from a home you’ve lived in for years will likely be one of the most difficult things when selling. It’s crucial to depersonalize for potential buyers to create their own vision of the home. You’ll want buyers to imagine how they can make each room their own. This includes taking down family photos (always a tough one). Put yourself in a similar position, walking into a house you’re interested in buying and all you see are photos of complete strangers throughout. Makes more sense now, right? We’re not saying to wipe out the nursery by all means but be sure to keep things basic. For example, are you a fan of clowns? Well, not everyone is and may freak some buyers from even walking into the house. Try to avoid political documents. Keep your personal items to yourself. Be sure to pack all of the personal items prior to showing. Make the house as basic as possible, still showing how lovable it is.
Professional Landscaping
What is the very first thing you see when driving through a neighborhood? Most sellers don’t realize the significance of how the outside of the property needs to look. In some cases, hiring a professional landscaper could be one of the best investments when putting a house on the market. Buyers want to see a clean, crisp yard, trimmed up trees, and vibrant colors. Always make sure the lawn is frequently and properly mowed. Nothing is worse than pulling up to a house for sale and seeing an unkempt forest of weeds! Yikes …. Make sure any holes are patched up throughout the yard as well. Depending on the time of year and location, be sure to have the driveway plowed and a clear walking path to enter the home. It doesn’t hurt to put out some “welcome” plants, a nice doormat, or some holiday decor. Just remember to keep things simple. If your property has a pool, don’t neglect that area. Does it have a nice, tranquil setting?
Small Repairs
Many home sellers feel they need to make major renovations when listing their home. That can be a big mistake! Do your research, because while some renovations provide a return on investment, you won’t likely get a financial return in many cases. Focus on any small repairs within the home. Holes in the wall from where paintings were hung. Run down to the local hardware store and buy some spackling compound. Simply fix! Some owners prefer to put a fresh coat of paint throughout the house. This isn’t a bad idea and may save you thousands of dollars. It’s amazing what a fresh coat does for the interior, and often the exterior as well. Painting can be cost effective and make a world of difference! Look for simple fixes, such as broken or missing cabinet hardware, cracked doors, loose doorknobs, or other minor damage. Making costly renovations, such as full remodeling generally isn’t always worth the cost. Sometimes you are better off offering a “seller’s concession” for any major repairs.
Deep Clean
The significance of a professional deep cleaning of a house going on the market is not stressed enough! This meticulous process goes beyond routine tidying, aiming to present your property in its absolute best light. A thorough deep clean can significantly enhance a home’s appeal to potential buyers. Focusing on often overlooked areas ensures a polished and inviting presentation. Ensuring every surface sparkles, from countertops to baseboards, creates a positive first impression. This attention to detail can create a positive first impression, making a property more memorable. Buyers often associate cleanliness with good maintenance, which can inspire confidence. Ultimately, a meticulously cleaned home is more likely to attract serious interest and may sell for a more favorable offer.
Staging
Once you have everything completely cleaned out, it’s time to start organizing. Arrange furniture in a way that opens up the main living space. Be sure to have kitchen counters completely clean, to give potential buyers a view of the countertops and cabinetry space. Perhaps, add some small decor in the kitchen and bathrooms to make an inviting space. Make a trip to Target or HomeGoods and grab a few pieces that make the room pop! What theme are you presenting? Are you located in a beachy area, go for sailboats and ocean blue colors. Perhaps, farmhouse is more your style. Be sure to blend one room to the next, with color and home decor. You want everything to flow as buyers walk through your home. Staging not only presents a good eye, but it will typically increase the sale of a home. According to NAR (National Association of Realtors), nearly 30% of real estate professionals report a 1% – 10% increase in value with a stage home. In addition, staged houses sell faster than non-staged homes.
