If you're planning on putting your home on the market in Orlando, Florida ... or elsewhere, now is the time to evaluate what needs to be done to get it ready to be shown. It's still a buyer's market, so how can you best determine what buyer's are looking for, and which updates are most likely to help you sell your home quickly, and for top dollar?
As a professional home stager I work daily with people to help them make this very important determination. My advice is based largely on their responses to the following questions:
* What is the present "overall condition" of the exterior of your home?
When someone looks on the internet, or drives down the street and they look at your homes curb appeal ... what will their very FIRST impression be? Will they view it as inviting, updated, and well maintained? Is your paint color current and fresh looking, or dated and peeling? Does your home, roof, driveway or sidewalk need to be pressure cleaned? What about your exterior light fixtures and hardware? Are they screaming the year the house was built ... undersized and not style appropriate for your home? And what about your landscaping? Could it use some freshening up? Any visible cracks that need to be repaired? In other words, what is the very FIRST message you are sending out to your potential buyer before they even cross the threshold? Cosmetic upgrades to the exterior of the home don't have to be costly, and are always considered good investments if they help to get the interior of your home shown!
* What is the present "overall condition" of the interior of your home?
Again, it's all about that ever important FIRST impression! When they are standing in your foyer what are they seeing ... feeling ... and yes, smelling? Statistics have shown that the decision to "buy" is usually formed in these first few seconds. Their eye should immediately be drawn to a "WOW" factor. If you have an amazing exterior view from the interior such as a pool or outside retreat area, that area should be targeted and given special attention. Question: What is your available budget to make necessary improvements? Whenever possible, repairs and updates to the home should be made before you put it on the market. Remember, your goal when selling should be to " ACCENTUATE the positive ... while ELIMINATING the negatives!"
* What is your competition?
What choices do your prospective buyers have in your same price range, in your area? New homes? Older homes in tree lined neighborhoods? What amenities are your competitors offering that would tip the scale in their favor? Updated kitchens and baths? Outside retreat areas which have become so popular ... which offer "additional living space", and speak to lifestyle? And what about adding perceived value? With the addition of updated fans, light fixtures, a fresh coat of paint on an existing stained garage floor ... you can affordably add perceived value to any existing home. Is it possible that by offering a years membership to the local golf course, or adding a year of lawn and pool maintenance to your home, you could tip the scale back in your favor? In today's market you need to do anything ... and everything to make your home stand out! It is your responsibility to know what is out there ... so you will better know how to compete!
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