Preparing Your Property For Sale
Once you`ve decided to work with a real estate professional to sell your home, you can do a number of things on your end to get the home ready for sale.
- Depersonalize. Pack away all of your personal photos and family 'stuff' that will be distracting to buyers. What you want the buyer to do when they walk through your property is to imagine their own belongings within the space; they can`t do that if you have tons of personal stuff lying around. You want the buyer to be able to envision themselves moving in.
- Get rid of clutter. Pack away knickknacks, books, and other non-essential items, placing them in storage or in boxes in the garage. Clean out and organize closets and pantries. You`ll not only make the space look more inviting, you`ll already have a jump start on packing!
- Minimize. If you`re staying in the property until it sells, you want to minimize the amount of furniture that you have so that buyers can see the square footage of the property better. This also reduces visual clutter. Keep only the very bare essential furniture items, like a couch and chair, a bed for each person, and a dining table and chairs. Everything else should be stored away.
- Make small repairs. Minor repairs now can make the property seem more welcoming and less of a headache for buyers. Besides, if your maintenance is so poor that you can`t fix a leaky faucet or replace cracked counter tiles, the buyer is likely to think that there may be more serious problems lurking.
- Clean, clean, clean! A place that sparkles is one that potential buyers will remember when reviewing their short list. Wash your windows, add new caulking to showers and sinks, wax the floor, replace worn rugs.basically give the whole space a once-over 'spring' cleaning until it shines. Don`t neglect the outside. Consider pressure washing the exterior.
- Rev up curb appeal. The first impression buyers have of your property is its view from the curb, so make them want to live in the space from the moment they step out of their car. Trim the lawn, plant some flowers, paint the door a bright, welcoming color and hang a wreath. Stand on the curb and take your property in visually, looking for improvements that will make it stand out, like new house numbers or a new mail box.
We can help you determine specific improvements that will make your property stand out and get top dollar. Contact us TODAY!