You want to sell your home in the shortest possible time for the highest possible price, right? Of course that is every seller’s goal and it’s my goal for you as well. It all starts with the curb appeal you create from the first photo a buyer sees online.
My seller clients benefit with my lovely interior designer – who goes room by room to help them make sure their home stands out in the photos. This complimentary service for my clients ensures their home stands out from all the other listings in the neighbourhood.
If you aren’t working with me and my interior designer to prep your home for selling – then these 8 tips will go a long way to helping you get ready…
Follow the 50/50 rule
Look at every flat surface in your house and take at least 50% of the items away. This goes for kitchen and bathroom counters, desktops, bookshelves and dressers. Maybe you do use that blender/toaster/coffeemaker/radio every day, but for now, keep it out of sight and get it out only when you need it.
Empty 50% of the closets too
If stuff tumbles to the floor every time you open a closet or a cupboard, you won’t impress your buyers. An overstuffed closet tells a buyer that you don’t have enough storage space. So get out the packing boxes, pretend you’re moving next week, and streamline every space. The buyer needs to know there’s plenty of room for their stuff.
Don’t make it personal
When a buyer walks through your front door, you want them to imagine themselves living in your home. This won’t happen if the walls are covered with family pictures and the refrigerator door is decorated with childlike Picassos. Add these items to your packing list. Let the buyer see a clean slate, ready for her to add her own personal touches.
Brighten up
Walk through your home after dark and on a cloudy day. Does it look bright, cheerful, and welcoming? Start by getting some brighter light bulbs (all the same shade) to shed some light on those dark corners. Make sure there are no burned out bulbs anywhere. Check the porch lights and outdoor lighting as well.
Show me the money – if you want to renovate
Realtors and builders alike will tell you that you’ll get the most bang for your buck by investing money in your kitchen and bathrooms. So whatever you have to spend on a pre-sale facelift, that’s where your money should go. If your bathroom vanities look shabby and dated, a couple coats of semi-gloss enamel in one of today’s “in” colors is a great place to start. Add some drawer pulls to kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Replace faucets with brushed nickel or bronze. New stainless steel appliances in the kitchen will give it a real “wow” factor. If you want to sell your home without doing renovations, then make sure your home is clean to ensure it feels ‘well maintained’ to a prospective buyer. Be sure to talk to me in advance of doing renovations, just to make sure the work you will do will add real value.
Do the painting
As part of your renovation plan – painting the interior walls is a great investment. Ceilings should be white because it makes the rooms seem larger. But keep white paint off your walls and go with a warm neutral (pale yellow, rosy beige or taupe) instead. Stark white walls are cold. Even if your home is very contemporary, you still want to reflect a degree of warmth and coziness.
Check for any hidden problems
Often it’s the things you can’t see that will trip you up. So keep an eye out for problems that aren’t immediately obvious. For example, if the storage space under your stairs smells musty, air it out and add some room freshener. Make sure there are no signs of mold or mildew anywhere. Look around the baseboards and the outside of your home as well for signs of decay or pests. Make sure there are no dripping faucets or leaks under the sink. And check to see that your smoke detectors are working and up to date.
Add an unexpected touch
When you’re ready for that first showings or an open house, make sure you appeal to ALL the buyer’s senses. Put out some fresh flowers or plants. (Hint: orchids are not expensive and they last a long time.) Avoid candles, which could create a fire hazard. Instead, use essential oils with scents that create a mood. Lavender is relaxing, rosemary is stimulating, and jasmine elevates the mood. Citrus scents are always fresh and clean. Of course if you want to pull out all the stops, bake some chocolate chip cookies and leave them on the counter. But please, no onions or fish smells left over from last night’s dinner.
Homes do not sell themselves. It takes planning and effort. I make sure to help my sellers put that little extra effort into preparing the home to make sure day one on the market, it shines in it’s best light. We focus on highlighting what separates your home from the others on the block. And if you need some assistance getting your home ready, I have great organizers, downsizing companies, painters, renovation companies, yard care companies and more to assist you. The payoff is the look on that prospective buyer’s face that says, “I want this home!”
Selling can be stressful, but you’ll feel peace of mind when we create a plan together for getting your home ready to list on the market.
