June 23, 2020
Making the decision to put your home on the market can be overwhelming. There are so many things to focus on, but I’m sure getting the best price for your home and selling it quickly are near the top of the list. Here are 5 tips to help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers.
- The first impression really IS the most important. Yes—it’s true for homes, too! You never have a second chance to make a first impression and buyers have already judged your home before they walk in the door. It’s important to make people feel welcome as soon as they approach your home. Be sure to take the time (and money) to give your home excellent curb appeal. Entryways are also important; make yours welcoming with fresh flowers or small decorations not just your keys and the mail.
- Lots of light! Make the most of the light in your home, natural and overhead. Lighting is one of the most important things that buyers say they want in a home, after location. So take the time to clean your windows, take down the drapes, increase the wattage of light bulbs and trim the shrubs. Make your home bright and cheerful for your expectant buyers.
- Clean up the closets. We are all looking for storage and can never have enough. A great way to give buyers a good glimpse at how much storage your home has is to take half the stuff out of your closets and neatly organize what’s left. Buyers will look at cabinets too, so be sure to tidy those up as well.
- Display your “extra” space wisely. Many of us use the extra bedroom/office as a dumping ground for odds and ends, toys and unused exercise equipment. Before listing your home, take the time to give your “spare” room a clear identity. This helps buyers see what it might be like for them. You can borrow furniture or buy inexpensive items to use for staging.
- Keep the pets away. Of course you love your pets, but not everyone is an animal lover. Even if a buyer has pets of their own, they don’t want to walk into your home and see a bowl of food, tufts of hair or the kitty litter. It gives the impression that your home isn’t clean. Keep all the pet supplies tidied away while your home is being shown.