If Your Home is Not Ready - Wait until it is Before Putting it on the Market
Being ready is the smart approach. Buyers cannot always see the potential and will reflect that with deducting dollars for the needed repairs.
Many times homeowners want their home on the market RIGHT NOW. Maybe they need to get to their new home quickly, or have other personal reasons to get their home sold quickly.
Putting a home on the market prior to it being truly ready for show, is a huge mistake. Those repairs or de-cluttering efforts and of course deep cleaning should be complete prior to being available for showings. Buyers will see what still needs to be done, and make offers below list price, or worse - not make an offer if it needs work.
It is good to get these items done prior to having a home active on the market -
~ Deep clean more than you ever have before, every nook & cranny in the home, it does make a difference. Don't forget intake vents up high and the baseboards!
~ De-clutter every room, even if you think the room will look empty. If you have a treadmill or other exercise equipment in the master bedroom, remove it - put it in the basement or garage. You want the master bedroom to FEEL like one. Less is always better but still should look homey!
~ If you need to touch-up paint, or have the carpets cleaned, do so prior to listing.
~ If possible, clean the windows. In Denver with so many sunny days, those windows look better when they are clean, and especially if you have views.
~ If you know of things that need repair - do so prior to listing. Usually these items will be on the inspection anyway, so do so prior so buyers won't have a reason to make an offer below list price.
~ Curb appeal - it is tough in the winter when nothing is green, but be sure all the dead plants and leaves are cleaned up and is neat and tidy. Many times homeowners do not use their front door and come inside through the garage. Be sure to check the front door for cob webs and make it nice & clean. You should be the nicest home on the block when you have a for sale sign in your yard!
Over the last few years when we have seen such a frenzy in the spring and summer, we see so many homeowners just have the REALTOR put the sign in the ground, and that is it. Pictures are done with cell phones, and homes have been anything but clean. Buyers truly love homes absolutely turn-key and are clean. Why not put out that type of listing, and homeowners are amazed at how many showings and offers they get!
You get one chance to make that FIRST IMPRESSION, make it one, buyers won't be able to refuse!
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Metro Brokers - House to Home, Inc.
GRI, CRS, CNE, e-Pro
Broker/Owner
Joan@JoanCox.com
720-231-6373
A Denver Metropolitan Realtor
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