7 Great Tips For Getting Your House Ready To Sell
Here are 7 great tips for getting your house ready to sell. Preparing to sell your home takes a bit of work, but it's worth it. Clean, updated homes sell better, faster and for more money.
You want your home to look its best. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
TIP # 1: CURB APPEAL
Clean up the outside. Rake dead leaves and trash out from between and around the bushes. There is nothing worse than seeing trash as you're walking in to see a house.
Plant some pretty flowers and trim back hedges and trees, if needed.
Paint the front door. Make it look inviting. I can't tell you how many complaints I get from buyers who say, They're selling their house and they can't even paint the front door!
Power wash your driveway or give it a new coat of blacktop. If you have pavers, make sure there are no weeds showing through.
TIP # 2: DECLUTTER
Start by decluttering. Go room by room and get rid of stuff you don't need, use or want anymore. The object here is the less stuff you have, the larger your home will appear. That makes it more appealing to buyers.
If there are things you want and are planning to take with you, box them up and either put them in the garage, or rent a storage unit.
If you have things you no longer want or use but are in good condition, there are many organizations you can donate them to. They will be happy to get them, and you will have less stuff to move.
Declutter to where your closets are half full and the floors are clean. Declutter to where your kitchen counters, drawers, cabinets and pantry are not stuffed. They should have stuff in them but not be overflowing.
Clean out the garage. Clean out the bathrooms. Clean out the bedrooms.
Then organize your stuff. You get my drift.
TIP # 3: CLEAN. CLEAN & CLEAN
Clean, clean and then clean again. Start with a deep clean. Then room by room, clean the house.
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way in selling a house. Neutral colors work best. While you may love your red or orange wall, chances are something neutral will help you sell faster and for more money.
TIP # 4: GET RID OF ODORS
Get the smell out. Have a friend come in, someone who doesn't live in the house, to give an honest opinion. It's easy to get used to something we live with on a daily basis. We don't even notice it.
Whether it's a smell from cooking, smoking or pet smells, you need to get rid of the odors. Nothing is worse than having buyers run in and out because the house smells.
TIP # 5: MAKE MINOR REPAIRS
Making minor repairs is smart when you're preparing to sell your home.
Torn screens should be replaced. Light bulbs should be changed to bright ones. Broken windows, caulking and weather stripping, if needed, should be taken care of. Take care of broken grout in the shower.
Have your air conditioner cleaned. Change the filter and make sure it is free of dust at the unit as well as the vents. No one wants to see anything black blowing out of air conditioning vents.
Take care of any leaks or electrical problems. Replace broken switches.
If you have carpet, have it cleaned or replaced with some type of flooring.
TIP # 6: UPDATE
Make whatever updates you can within your budget. These updates will help to sell your house. Whether it's a new kitchen, or just new kitchen counters and new stainless steel appliances, it makes a big difference to a buyer.
New bathrooms are a good investment. A new coat of paint is a must.
When you are getting ready to sell your home, you’ll want it to look like a showplace rather than a hoarders house. Buyers today want turnkey homes and they are willing to pay to get it.
TIP # 7: STAGE IT
Professionally staged homes bring more money.
We've all seen those shows on TV where they stage a house, then bring back the sellers. The sellers are awestruck at how great their house looks after it's been staged.
If you've removed enough clutter and stuff from your house you, too, can have your home professionally staged. Whether it's a primary bedroom or the whole house, staging works.
IN SUMMARY
These tips for getting your house ready to sell will bring more money when it hits the market. Buyers want new and updated.
You can't just throw something up and hope it sticks. Well, maybe you can to an investor, but that won't bring you a great price. Investors are looking to pay as little as they can.
Put in some time and fix your house before you sell. It's worth it.
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