Deciding to sell your home is an enormous decision for you and your
family, but I can help make it an easy transition.
Preparing your home for sale - whether you choose to use an agent,
or you decide to sell it on your own - is extremely
important. For buyers a first impression is everything, and
if the home is cluttered or smells bad that can adversely affect
your ability to sell the home. Below are a few tips on how to
prepare your home for sale.
Detach your emotions.
Your goal is to create spaces in which as many people as possible
will be able to envision their potential home. Reminders of
your life will distract potential buyers from that. To
properly prepare your home for sale, pack away your personal items,
including photos, souvenirs, and other mementos.
Clean and reorganize.
Clean your home from top to bottom and make especially sure all
appliances are spotless. Reorganize the closets and pack away
as much your belongings as possible. However, storage room is
a priority for buyers and a full closet does a poor job of
showcasing the amount of storage room available. Make sure
your storage patterns are efficient and neat. If you’re using
a spare room for storage, pack away the clutter and ensure the
space is properly furnished.
Furnish empty rooms.
People buy homes - not houses. Empty rooms make it hard for
buyers to get a good sense of the space. Large rooms look
cavernous, and small rooms look even smaller when empty.
Oddly shaped rooms make it especially hard for buyers to visualize
how to arrange the room. Staging your empty property with
just the right furniture is key to ensuring that buyers will be
able to visualize living in the space.
Brighten and lighten.
Light-filled rooms are always appealing. Open blinds and make
sure your windows are sparkling clean. If there are no
windows in the room, make sure the lighting is adequate and keep
all the lights on when showing the property, even during the day. A
fresh coat of neutral colored paint goes a long way to brighten up
the space.
Spark your buyer’s imagination.
Set the dinner table for a formal dinner, light the fireplace on a
cold day, and add some fresh flowers to your décor. Creating
the proper atmosphere helps buyers envision themselves living in
your home.
Perform those minor repairs.
Buyers prefer to see a home in move-in condition. Even small
things such as a dripping faucet can detract from the value of your
home.
Don’t be too unique.
Keep your décor simple and modern with neutral wall colors.
Unusual accessories and strong wall colors will limit your pool of
buyers. This is also true for renovations. The right renovations
can often boost the price of a home, but be careful not to do it
with too much flair. Your unique style may set you apart but
it will also shrink your potential pool of buyers. Remember
to keep it simple and modern.
Keep your neighborhood in mind when
renovating.
Actual returns on renovations depend not only on the renovations
themselves, but also on how your home compares to your
neighbors’. If your home is already above market value for
your neighborhood, your renovation may not yield a higher
return. Buyers looking at moderately priced homes won’t be
able to pay a premium for luxury finishes. Ask your Realtor
to give you an assessment of homes in your area before embarking on
costly renovations.
I
mprove security.
Household security is a sought after feature in homes. Simple
measures such as adding window locks and motion sensor lights
outside can boost the attractiveness of your property. In
densely populated urban areas, blinds and shutters are good
additions to provide privacy.
Why use a Realtor? Time, convenience, security, and return on
investment are just a few reasons to use the expertise of a
realtor. Cost is always the first reason that many people
choose not to work with a realtor.
However, national
studies show that a home sold by owner typically receives 16% less
than a home sold by a real estate professional. That
is well over double the cost of an agent's fee, and that translates
to 'real money' out of your pocketbook! So please, let a
realtor represent you in the sale of your home.
If you would like to read more of my articles, please visit
www.northofthesavannah.com
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