Selling a Home: A Seller's Strategic Check List.
Part Two. Presentation.
Remember: your property is a Product. Your Product needs to be Market Ready before it is listed. Looks Count. If you are in the produce section of your favorite market, as you approach the peaches, do you think, oh nice, I want the bruised one that's obviously been on the floor? Or do you grab for the peach that looks like the produce manager just picked it from the tree? Your property should look like a freshly pick peach.
Let's start outside. Outside is the first place to impress buyers because it is the first part of your property (Product) any potential buyer will see. If the yard is not in perfect condition, for the season, I recommend professional help. In the Silicon Valley, CA we don't get snow...... yet . But if you live in snow country, keep the driveway, sidewalks, patios and decks clear and ice free. If you are not a Yardie, a professional landscape maintenance company can quickly put your yard in order. Keep it that way through the property listing period. In addition, owners, agents and tenants need to be diligent in keep distractions to a minimum. I was viewing a potential listing just the other day that had a baby stroller and a skate board next to an old unsecured refrigerator. The message that yard sends to a potential buyer is somewhere between offer a Deep Discount and Run Away. Neat, clean and in good order; that is the 1st impression sellers want buyers to have and a manicured yard delivers.
Now, step inside. When the front door of your property swings open, potential buyers 1st impression is set by what the buyer can see and smell. Ideally the property is unoccupied. Ideally, professionals have cleaned the property and the property has been staged for viewing. This is not always an ideal world. If you must occupy your property during the listing period, or you have tenents, a few simple rules that can get and keep your product Market Ready.
First remove and store any items that causes clutter. Remove very personal items, pet related gear and photographs. Sellers' property should not distract buyers. We want the buyer to always picture your property as they would live in it. We do not want them trying to figure out what you, the seller, are all about. Store some clothes. An empty closet looks bigger than closets that drop shoe boxes on the heads of buyers. Once the clutter is under control, have the property professionally cleaned. I also advise that every seller consider having a Home Staging Pro give them some basic advise on how best to arrange their personal property and furnishings to give the property it's best Buyer Appeal.
Eliminate potential offensive odors from your home. Some folks are allergic to, and disgusted by Fluffy's litter box. Others do not love the "day after" bouquet of Uncle Bob's Fishy Fish Curry Recipe. Neutral odors and clean, well ordered interiors bring offers and sales. Stinky, dirty properties sit.
Presentation counts. Do not distract potential best buyers with unnecessary clutter, odors or obstacles. Presentation should, at first glance, make buyers think: This is my house.
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