Spring is right around the corner. Soon the tulips will bloom, the temperatures will warm and more homes will go up for sale.
If you are thinking of selling this spring, now is the time to prepare your home. Making sure your home is market-worthy, will set you apart from other sellers and get you the best price.
Here are a few steps to take before popping that For Sale sign in your yard.
Depersonalize, Declutter & Deep Clean
Create neutral spaces in your home that will allow potential buyers to create their own personalized visions of what they could do with the space. This will provide you with a larger range of buyers and less hassle for you when trying to paint a picture of what they could do with the bedrooms, living room, etc.
In order to create a neutral space, the first step to take is to remove your personal photos, posters, wallpaper, and personalized decorations. Sometimes you may need an extra eye since you become used to these aspects of your home, so feel free to call over a friend to look around with you. This is the best way to create a neutral aesthetic for the buyers.
Decluttering is another important part of preparing your home for a showing. Buyers want to envision the space as their own, and it’s hard for them to do that with excess boxes, furniture, or decor. Cleaning up spaces such as the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms will let your buyers feel right at home. Moving to a new home can be a stressful process for the buyer, and having the home clean and decluttered will give them a feeling of relief, and will get them excited about their new space.
Get Rid of Odors
We often become nose blind to scents in our homes, but in order to create a neutral space for buyers, you should be aware of what potential smells your home could have. The most common odors are created in the kitchen, so that is a good place to start. Be sure to deep clean your sink, fridge, and vents to avoid any food smells that could turn away a buyer. Also, keep in mind that if you cook the day of or before a showing, there could be lingering smells that you will want to get rid of.
To avoid any pet odors, be sure to clean and hide any litter boxes, and pet beds, and vacuum thoroughly to remove any hair. During the showing, it would be best to take the animal to a different location, such as a friend or family member. If that isn’t an option, try putting them in your backyard, or a crate.
Create a Home Repair Checklist & Fix Issues
Small details can make or break your showing. To increase your chances of success, go through your home and identify the repairs and updates you could implement to get your house in great condition. Repairs can give you the upper hand when it comes to negotiating and relieve you of any stressors close to the sale.
The simplest step you can take to begin your repair checklist is checking your home for places that need the paint touched up. Even a little scuff on the wall can be noticed by a buyer, and fixing it prior to the showing will make a difference in your showing outcome. Be sure to take a thorough look through places that may need paint and touch up or update where necessary.
Leaky plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom should be resolved prior to your showing. Kitchen and bathroom spaces are important to the buyer and should be presented in the best condition possible, especially bathrooms. Installing energy-efficient plumbing and water systems could increase your home value, and make the buyer feel more confident in purchasing your home.
Home Exterior Touch Up
The buyer’s first impression of your home will be the outside, so it’s vital to maintain your exterior spaces. Creating a curb appeal will draw in the buyer and give them a great first impression of your home, which is what they are most likely to remember the most from the showing.
In these winter months, you will want to clear any snow or ice from outdoor walkways, such as driveways, sidewalks, and stairs. The last thing you want is for a buyer to fall and hurt themselves during the showing – that is most likely the only thing they will remember. Along with snow and ice removal, be sure to clean the siding of your home, clean out gutters, and update your front door, or whichever one you will be entering first.
Hire Us
Buying a house is typically the biggest financial transaction that a person will make in their life, so having us on your team can make all the difference.
To put it simply, we do the behind-the-scenes work so that you can enjoy the process and stress less! As your trusted specialists, we guarantee we will be with you every step of the way. We can negotiate on your behalf, give you access to buyers, and utilize our 25 years of combined expertise to get you the best deal on your home, and we do it all with a smile.
As always, we’re here to answer any questions and help guide you through the home-buying process. Contact us today! We can’t wait to work with you!
