Dirty Homes Don't Sell

          Isn't it interesting how some homes go up for sale and sell almost immediately and others stay for sale for what seems to be an eternity?  Many homes that are on the market for a while even lower their price, and still don't sell.  From a realtor's perspective, homes that are not prepared to sell, DON'T!  I'd like to share a few suggestions we offer to sellers in our initial pre-list appointment. 

            Phase one of our plan is to de-clutter and clean.  Organization is key to creating the "feeling" of space.  Closets, cupboards, pantries, garages, and utility rooms all need to be minimized.  If you need help you can take a picture of the clutter in question to a home improvement store.  They will have ideas to store, stack, and organize our personal goods.  Since you are moving anyway, pack fifty percent away.  So many of our sellers tell us they LOVE their new home, and they haven't even moved yet.  They just didn't remember how big and nice their current home was before it became cluttered. To finish phase one, wipe down surfaces, touch up paint, and clean.

            Phase two of our preparing the home for sale is to neutralize.  Flooring and wall color should be realtor beige to maximize the buyer potential.  Take down any wallpaper or borders.  This décor dates your house and limits buyers.  Once neutralized, add color with window coverings, wall art, accessory towels, furniture, and rugs. 

            The most important step in preparing your home for sale is the face-lift.  Curb appeal can make or break the buyers emotion to move forward.  Most buyers look on line at the photos first.  If the photos are clean and appealing, they will download the virtual tour.  If there is still interest at this point, next comes the "drive by."   To be well presented from the curb, freshen landscape, do not have any (this is a must) chipping paint, clean the gutters and power-wash the home if needed to make sure the home is welcoming.  Exterior curb appeal needs to be show quality for the buyer to consider this an option for their home.  Let's make them "have to" live here. 

            With spring at our doorstep, it's time to clean and repair.  The pre-list seller homework we provide to each home-owner is much more detailed then these few suggestions.  Call 350-SOLD (7653) for a free seller pre-list kit. 

Heather Morris CRS, GRI, ABR, CLHMS

Broker Associate/ Skogman Realty 2008