Want to Sell? When to Start. Where to Start. What the heck to do First.
Selling your home can be an exciting yet overwhelming task. People often feel as if they do not know where to start when preparing their house for the market or worry about spending too much money that will not have a return on their investment. Rest assure, that is why we are here! To ensure a successful sale, it's essential to make your house appealing to potential buyers. Here are 5 easy and inexpensive ways to get your house market-ready and get the highest ROI:
Declutter & Depersonalize: One of the first steps in preparing your home for the market is to declutter and depersonalize. Whether you are looking to sell in a month or a year, decluttering will always help move the process forward. Remove unnecessary things, organize closets, get rid of all the unused items that have been sitting in your basement for years. Once you start to really purge your “stuff” you will begin to see where some repairs or touch-ups may be needed. And if you are looking to sell sooner than later, depersonalizng the space is essential for sale. Buyers want to envision themselves in the space, so minimizing personal items and creating a clean, open environment can help them see the full potential of the house. We have resources and support we can share to help you through the process of purging and packing up!
Fresh Paint: You may love bright bold colors or think that taking a Magic Eraser to that hallway wall will be good enough, but a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home! Choose neutral and earthy colors that appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers. There are thousands of shades of white to choose from… but don’t get overwhelmed because we have a color expert on our team ready to assist you in selecting the ideal colors for your space! Painting the interior gives off a clean and updated look, but also helps potential buyers imagine how they would customize the space to their liking. Pay attention to high-traffic areas, to make the most significant impact. It is truly one of the lowest cost improvements you can make to your house that can make a big impact!
Make Judicious Repairs: Take the time to address any noticeable issues or necessary repairs. This could include fixing that leaky faucet, repairing the broken door handle replacing that broken window pane or patching up any holes. Buyers will often make assumptions that if they see minor visible defects that there may be even more going on and that the seller doesn’t take care of the property. So, a well-maintained home is seen as move-in ready and shows a pride in ownership! Attend to both major and minor repairs to present a home that's not only aesthetically pleasing but also in good structural condition.
Upgrade Your Fixtures: Outdated fixtures can make a home feel dated and less appealing to potential buyers. Consider updating lighting fixtures, cabinet hardware, faucets, and other hardware throughout the house. These relatively simple and cost-effective upgrades can make a significant difference in the overall look and feel of your home. Choose fixtures that are modern and complement the style of your home. Not sure which fixture would look best in your home? Our staging & design team can help you make the right decision!
Boost Curb Appeal: Did you know that buyers make up their mind about a house in the first 15 seconds?! Most of the time, potential buyers have already made their decision before waking through the front door. First impressions matter! Enhance your curb appeal by maintaining a well-manicured lawn, trimming bushes and trees off the exterior of the home, and adding some colorful flowers or plants to the front steps. Consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint, adding new house numbers, and updating the exterior lighting. A welcoming and attractive exterior sets a positive tone for the entire home tour. And again, immediately shows a pride in ownership!
By following these 5 easy steps, you can significantly increase your home's marketability and make it more appealing to potential buyers. Taking the time to declutter, freshen up the paint, make necessary repairs, upgrade fixtures, and boost curb appeal can ultimately lead to a faster and more successful sale! Our team is ready to help you prioritize your house preparation list and guide you every step of the listing process!
So, whether you want to list in a month or so or you know you’ll sell years from now… today is the day to meet with us to help you best plan!