Are you getting ready to sell your home? Do you want to get it sold quickly & for the price you want?
Did you know that most buyers form their first impression of your home within minutes of first seeing it?
Years ago sellers would list their homes for sale in “as is” condition. In today’s market that no longer works.
Today you need to make the best possible first impression to get the sale you want – and you only get one chance to make a great first impression.
If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, here are 5 great tips to increase your home’s resale value.
(1) Deep Clean – buyers want to see a fresh, clean home – a dirty home will turn buyers off
· Kitchens sell homes – give special attention to countertops, grout lines, appliances, & cabinets, inside & out, clean the refrigerator & pantry, hide trash cans
· Clean floors until they shine
· Dust & look up - don’t forget ceiling fans!
· Bathrooms need to look good & smell fresh – scrub toilets & clean shower doors
· Clean corners, doorways, window frames & don’t forget the garage!
· Clean out closets & store what you’re not using – a closet ½ filled will look larger than one that is stuffed
· Clean up pet areas
· Odors will turn off buyers – refresh the space with room deodorizers
· Invest in fresh bedding, linens & towels
(2) Add Curb Appeal – when buyers drive up to your home you want them to be excited to
come in!
· Landscaping – make sure the lawn is mown, re-seed where it needs it, trim hedges, trees & anything that blocks the view to your home
· Power wash the outside of your home
· Wash windows to make them sparkle and let in light
· Clean gutters & walkways
· Add colorful flowers along pathways & by the front entry
· Give you front porch a makeover – add a bench or chair & a decorative touch
· Don’t forget the mailbox – give it a touch of paint & be sure it’s standing up straight
· Park cars in the garage or out of the way
(3) Fix-it – you want buyers to focus on the best features of your home & not on problems from deferred maintenance – this is the time to do those ‘fix-it’ projects that will pay off in the long-term
· Walk through your home with a fresh eye to see if there are obvious maintenance issues
· Fix the things you can & hire a handyman for larger projects - a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color will go a long way
· Replace worn, dated hardware & knobs
· Lighting makes all the difference – replace old bulbs with higher wattage full spectrum light bulbs
· Replace worn switch plates, heating & air conditioning registers
· Open curtains to let in natural light
· If the weather allows, open windows for fresh air
(4) Stage it – Home staging is one of the best steps you can take when preparing to list your home. Statistically, a staged home will sell 80% faster & for 10% more than an un-staged home. The cost of staging is one of the best returns on investment a seller can make over any other improvement. If you can afford to, hire a professional stager – you will be surprised at the difference they can make for a small investment. A stager will:
· Showcase the best features in your home, placing furniture to define focal points & maximize space
· De-clutter to help create a feeling of spaciousness
· De-personalize so that potential buyers can envision themselves in your home rather than focusing on the things you own
· Highlight the best features of your home – a beautiful kitchen, views, great fireplace, beamed ceilings & spacious rooms
· Organize furniture placement so that it helps to create visual space & good flow
· Define rooms – a stager will help buyers see how each room in your home can be used, including outdoor spaces
(5) Invest in Professional Photos – Today’s buyers are more likely to see your home for the first time on the internet. Great professional photos will make your listing stand out over similar homes & encourages potential buyers to come see your home.
Once you get your home looking it’s best, be sure to keep it “show ready” for a quick sale.
Put out some fresh flowers & you’re ready to go!
Reprinted from Porch.com Author: Judith Burzell
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