It's a buyer's market. Your house has competition, and that means you have to do some work to get it ready to sell. So, while your home looks great compared to the neighbor's foreclosure, it might not quite compare to that house a block over where, rumor has it, the owner clips the lawn with an electric razor.
You don't have to spend a ton of time or money. A few simple tricks can get you market ready in time for the start of the spring selling season. Especially if you start now.
Here are tips to give your home the edge.
Step one to getting your house market ready: Break out the cleaning supplies.
"Give it a really good cleaning.
The problem: "A lot of sellers might not have the same perception of 'deep cleaning' that a buyer would,". For that reason, "it might be worth spending a couple hundred dollars to have professionals come in and clean."
Two places where clean can be critical for buyers are kitchens and bathrooms. Having those rooms clean and sparkling can make a huge difference in the perception of "whether a house is kept up or not,".
Windows and baseboards are crucial. If you're not replacing carpets, have those cleaned, too. The potential outlay for a cleaning service and carpet cleaning is likely in the neighborhood of $300 to $500 total. This has a much greater impact than most sellers think.
Ditch junk and clutter to make your house look more attractive and spacious.
"This is now a showcase,"You are no longer living in it; you are showing it."
A couple of pro tips:
Laundry room: Make it neat and orderly. Your goal is to make it look like the room is plenty big enough for the job.
Pantry: It's for food only. Using the pantry for general storage screams, "Not enough cupboard space.
Garage: If it's a two-car garage, make room for two cars. For a lot of men, if the garage "looks small because of the clutter, there's an issue."
"And while you're de-cluttering, you're depersonalizing," "You really need the buyer to be able to picture your home as their home." A picture of your kids on the nightstand is "not a big deal," he says. But you don't want the family portrait gallery lining the hallway.
With paint, stick to neutrals..
We have clients who have painted some of their rooms and picked the colors themselves" in shades of pink and purple, that is a no no as it was more of a negative than a positive when they put their homes on the market.
Their mistake wasn't DIY painting but color selections. Opt for neutrals, which have a broader appeal.
Then consider the flooring. If the carpeting is old and stained, put in new carpeting.
Keep any planned changes to the house reasonable and in character with the home and the neighborhood.
"Don't lie to yourself. If the house has areas that show wear, get that work done before offering the home.
Seek a second opinion from your agent or a potential agent. A real estate professional can advise you on what repairs or upgrades will give you the most bang for your buck.
"The price of your house is going to determine what things you should do," One client spent $10,000 putting in hickory cabinets and granite countertops in the kitchen of a home that listed in the $100,000 range.
"In that price range, it wasn't necessary, as we couldn't get any more money for the house."
View the house from the buyer's perspective. "Pull up and stop right in front of it, just like a buyer's going to do". Then "let yourself in the front door, like a buyer's going to do."
How does your home compare to others on the street? Is it inviting? Does it make you want to see more?
Walk through the home with the eyes of a buyer. If you're buying another house, think about what you want to see in your new home.
Pay special attention to the entryway. "You want it to be open as much as possible. Look at the furnishings you have in the area, and err on the side of less-is-more. "When in doubt, get it out. "You want it open and bright with neutral paint."
Respectfully Yours,
Rick Tipton
Broker/Owner of Select Property Solutions is a Full Service Real Estate & Property Management Company More importantly we are Trusted Professionals in Your Neighborhood
