Tips for Selling Your Home

Price your home correctly. Listen to your real estate professionals, they understand the market and are there to get you the best possible price for your home. Incorrectly pricing your home from the beginning can lead to a “stale” listing, ultimately getting a lower price than a home that is well priced.

Curb Appeal. Take a tour of your home through the eyes of a buyer starting with the drive up. What is the first impression? Is the lawn and landscaping neat and weed-free? Is there any unnecessary debris around the outside of home? Are the walks, porches, patios, fencing and driveway clean and in good repair? Evaluate the exterior of the home from all angles. What is the condition of the siding, roof, windows, doors, lighting/electrical fixtures, spigots, etc.? Is your front door area welcoming? Consider painting the door, changing the storm door, hardware, lighting, doormat, etc. for a fresh new look.

De-clutter. Pack up your prized possessions for your new home. Buyers want to get the feel that this is their home so remove family photos, collections, hobbies, etc. that might distract a buyer from seeing themselves living in the home. Pay particular attention to kitchens (clear counters, organize pantry, cabinets, etc. – no unnecessary appliances) and bathrooms (store away personal items, throw rugs, etc.) Assess your closet space and storage areas. Remove any non-essential items from the home. Rent a storage unit if necessary. Buyers need to see all of the space they are buying. Remember, this is temporary. The sooner your home is sold, the sooner you can be reunited with your favorite things.

Finish all projects. Good intentions only go so far with buyers. Repair, renew, replace. If anything is broken, dated, or worn-out – make it right. Evidence of good maintenance and attention to detail goes a long way with buyers and can often lead to a much higher sales price for the small investment.

Deep clean and deodorize. Make sure each and every room is as clean as possible from top to bottom. In addition to having carpets cleaned (or replaced), all walls and trim should be wiped down (or freshly painted) as well as vents, light fixtures, ceiling fans, switch plates, etc. Remember, different household odors you may be immune to, are very noticeable to outsiders, particularly if you are a pet owner or smoker. After cleaning, consider mild air fresheners. More and more people have allergies and sensitivities that can make the un-sanitized homes an instant deal breaker. Oftentimes buyers will not offer up this feedback, but simply, and quickly move on.

Be prepared. The home that is “show ready” at a moment’s notice, may be the difference between an offer. Are the kitchen and bathrooms clean? Are the beds made? What kind of plan can be arranged for your pets during showings? Often, serious buyers are in town briefly and on a tight schedule viewing a number of homes. If your home is difficult to see, it will likely be overlooked.

Neutralize. Color choice and style can strongly affect a buyer. Appeal to as wide of a market as possible by removing or simplifying décor. This may mean removing frilly curtains, wallpaper, bold furnishings, etc. This no longer means all white wall…there is a wide array of neutral colors to compliment your home and add a more inviting feel to your surroundings. You don’t want to stand out as “the house with the monkey mural in the master bedroom”.

Staging. You may have heard this term used in recent years, but what does it mean for you? Simply put this is the act of preparing a home for the market. There are varying degrees of home staging from adding a few accessories, furniture arrangement/placement to complete top to bottom decorating specifically to maximize buyer appeal and ultimate reduce the market time while receiving the highest value. Though there are different levels of investment from professional home staging services to suggestions and tips from your realtor, in today’s competitive market this can be invaluable.

Pre-sale inspection. Consider investing in an independent inspection. Be aware of any issues and make repairs prior to discovery after the sale. This can save you a great deal of money and frustration in the end. A good inspection can be used to market your home as well. Though this will not likely replace the need for a buyer’s inspection, it might give the buyer peace of mind resulting in an offer. The key to a quick sale at a satisfactory price is a dedicated, knowledgeable realtor with a good marketing plan designed to get the best possible exposure in today’s marketplace. Talk to your CityWise team today to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today for more tips on selling your home.