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So You Want To Sell A Home?
Want to Sell a Home? Take Some Initiative.
I say this even if you have a Professional Realtor who is representing you. First of all, you have been wise in seeking the assistance of someone who has much more experience in selling homes, exposure to a wide network of other professional agents in the field and someone who will genuinely protect your interests and provides value to you and your loved ones. If your Realtor covers all bases “from contract to close,” you will undoubtedly be advised to “stage your home” in order to show the best that your house has to offer to potential buyers. He or she will do everything within their power to steer you in the right direction towards the goal of selling your house
With spring just around the corner, and if you are still considering on putting your home on the market very soon (and even if you already have!), you will do well to take advantage of sunny days. Buyers will be coming out to look for a new home as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. As I mentioned before, many of us have already seen an increase in traffic during Open Houses lately.
There are some steps you can take yourself without necessarily waiting for a staging company to tell you. Though some of you may be familiar with some or all of these tips, if you are anything like me, it’s nice to have reminders of what we can do to improve the overall atmosphere of our homes each year (which have also led to many home sales in the past).
Here are 10 things you can do to make your home more salable:
1. Make minor repairs that could create a bad impression. Small problems, such as a dripping faucet, torn screeans, cracked caulking, or sticky doors upon opening and closing, may seem like not a big deal, but they will indeed give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.
2. Put higher wattage light bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt out bulbs.
3. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file any stacks of magazines or newspapers. Pack away most of your small decorative items. To make other closets seem roomier, pack away out-of-season clothing. Clean out the garage.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoking and pet smells. Open the window.
5. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the house has been well-cared for. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator.
6. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
7. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
8. Clean your gutters.
9. Clean up your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.
10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.
Again, if you are truly motivated, and no matter how much or little time you might feel that you have, I mean really motivated, then these tips will and should work towards your advantage.
By the way, the other really great thing about these tips is that, even if you aren’t selling your house, if you were to apply this in your household, you and your family will reap the rewards of coming home to a pleasant and clean atmosphere to relax and enjoy each others company, without the usual stress of a cluttered house.
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