Tips to Sell your Home
Seller Tips
you are now ready to list your home, are you sure?
1.Clean, Clean, Clean.
Of course your house needs to be clean when prospective purchasers come through, but you would be surprised at how often homeowners neglect this simple, no-cost tip. We all lead busy lives, but if you really want to sell your home, making sure that the kids’ toys are put away and that the dishes are safely in their spot is a must. Have a family “game plan” to get the home in show condition quickly – everyone should have an assigned task
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2. Do a Thorough Inspection
This step will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises during the sale process. Inspect your walls and floors for water damage, check for plumbing leaks, make sure your windows don’t have broken seals, check for any signs of insects or rodents and fix any problems that you find.
3. Eliminate Odors
Don’t mask household odors with air fresheners, which can be overwhelming and cause allergies in many people. Instead, follow our tips for neutralizing household odors, and don’t forget to have a friend stop by for a sniff test.
4. Paint
While you might love your chartreuse walls, there’s a good chance that most buyers won’t. In order to make your home appeal to the largest possible audience, paint your walls in neutral colors in a flat or eggshell finish. Don’t forget to repair any nail holes or other damage before painting, and be sure to touch up ceilings and trim as needed.
5. Finish Projects & Repairs
Now is the time to complete any home improvement projects you have under way and make any and all necessary repairs to your home. You’ll find a buyer more quickly and the sale process will be much smoother if everything that needs to be done is taken care of before you list your property. If you have additional home improvement projects planned, make sure they can all be completed fully in a short amount of time.
6. Clean or Replace Flooring
Carpets should be shampooed and treated for stains. Tile and hardwood should be thoroughly swept and mopped to a shine. Any flooring that is stained, damaged or worn beyond repair should be removed and replaced. Hardwood floors that are scratched or have lost their sheen should be refinished.
7. Freshen up Fixtures & Hardware
Light fixtures, bathroom mirrors, faucets, shower heads and cabinet hardware can all be replaced for very little money and make a huge difference in terms of visual appeal.
8 .Rearrange things
It’s hard for homeowners to hear that their chosen furniture arrangement needs work, but you must consider the appearance (not necessarily the functionality) of your personal property when trying to sell your home. For example, although most people display furniture so that the television is the focal point, that’s not always the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement. But, fear not, despite a little heavy lifting, following this tip shouldn’t cost a dime.
9. Don’t Forget about Curb Appeal.
Most sellers concentrate on the interior of their homes for good reason, but you can’t neglect the exterior. Pulling weeds costs nothing and shouldn’t take much time. If your yard is an eyesore, you may want to invest in some more extensive landscaping, but before you take on any project, consider how to Remove dying plants or keep them out of sight. Keep the yard mowed, raked, weeded, fertilized and watered. Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed. Use plants and flowers on porches and front walk way – create curb appeal! Hoses and garden equipment should be kept neatly out of sight. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unattractive patio furniture, trash, etc., from the yard. Outdoor furniture should be kept clean. ch it costs versus how much value it might add to the home.
10. De-Clutter
The #1 complaint of prospective purchasers when they visit homes on the market is clutter. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for some people to see past your stuff strewn all over the room and envision a world where their things look tidy and neat. So, while your home is on the market, put away magazines, kid’s toys, dog beds, litter boxes, etc. A good rule of thumb for most folks is to remove at least a few items from every room.
11. Hit the Thrift Stores
If you’re not the type that needs to de-clutter and, instead, you need to spruce up your décor, you don’t have to break the bank doing so. Consider a trip to a thrift store, a flea market or a yard sale. Because these places can be overwhelming, make sure you go with a mission. If the living room desperately needs a lamp, make that’s your sole priority when shopping.
12. Bring on the Green
Plants and flowers can bring a room to life. But you don’t have to purchase an expensive floral arrangement or a luxurious plant from a nursery. Instead, check your yard for fresh blooms or look for wildflowers.
13. Let there be Light
If you have fussy drapes or other heavy window treatments, consider removing them while the house is on the market, or at least opening them up so light can fill the room. Letting in the natural light and providing a clear view of the outdoors can make a room feel larger and more alive. Turn on all lights – day or night. Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers. Wherever practical, install higher wattage light bulbs to further brighten your home
14. Don’t be a Closet Case
Unfortunately, you can’t just hide your clutter in your closets. Buyers these days are obsessed with closet size, so be ready for them to take a peak at yours. The more cluttered a closet is, the smaller it will appear to those considering a purchase.
15. Keep it Simple
If you have a flair for the dramatic, make sure you tone it down when your house goes on the market. If you have to splurge on a new coat of paint, for example, opt for neutral colors. The goal is to make your home appeal to the broadest cross section of the population possible.
16. Depersonalize.
There’s no need to remove every possible sign that someone does actually currently inhabit the property, but it can help buyers imagine themselves in the home if your family photos aren’t prominently displayed.
17. Get Your Real Price
Find out how much you should list your home for.. Look at your property with your sales representative and analize comparable sales and market conditions and help you determine how much you can expect to sell for in today’s market.
Don’ts:
Don’t volunteer information
Don’t answer nosey questions
Don’t let strangers in “off the street”
Do:
Enlist the service of a professional agent such as a REALTOR, to market your home in trade magazines, newspapers, Internet sites, Virtual Tour, etc. and assist you with all negotiations. Make your home looks like a model even if it isn’t.