Get the most out of your home and make the selling process easier with these easy steps.
- First impressions really do matter – When selling, you want people to feel warm and welcome when coming into your house. Think of increasing the curb appeal of your home by cutting back overgrown vegetation and adding in a few shrubs and flowers. Make the entryway of your home inviting by adding small touches such as fresh flowers and a bench for sitting, and remove the clutter.
- Keep it ready to show at all times – Potential buyers have limited availability, and you need to keep your house in top shape at all times. It may be inconvenient for you, but you never know when the eventual buyer will show up. Keep the kitchen clean, the bathrooms picked up, and closets tidy.
- Get a knowledgeable agent – Make sure your real estate agent is well versed not only in selling, but in selling in your area. They should know the going price for comparable houses in your area and use multiple listing service (MLS), and one who uses technology in many different ways to get your house seen by as many potential buyers as possible. While you may be tempted to go it alone, an agent can take a lot of guesswork and hassle out of the process, especially for first-time sellers.
- Major upgrades versus small “tweaks” – Think about the quick upgrades you can do for your house, but you likely won’t get back the money on major overhauls. Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Mammoth makeovers, not so much. Smaller updates such as new paint, new curtains or upgraded cabinet hardware are inexpensive, easy and can pack a real punch. And always make sure the house is neat, clean and in good working order, by fixing leaky faucets, for example.
- Asking the right price – You want to get as much money as possible out of your house, but find out what it’s really valued at, and then reduce it by 15 to 20 percent, according to the pros at HGTV. You’ll see more interest in your home from multiple bidders, which means you can then increase the price to its actual value.
- Clearing out clutter – Keep closets neat and tidy, as potential home buyers will inevitably look into all spaces, and you want to maximize storage. Another good tip is to remove at least half of what’s in the closet and move it to another, out-of-the-way storage location. Then make sure to organize what’s left in the closet.
- Keep it bright – Make your house bright and cheerful with as much natural and artificial light as possible. Trim back bushes, remove draperies and clean the windows. If you want to take it a step further, change lampshades and increase the wattage of light bulbs.
- Make the house look more neutral – In addition to getting rid of excess clutter, cut down on the personal touches of the house, as this helps buyers envision their own items in the spaces. Remove photos, mementos and personal keepsakes, and consider storing them offsite. Not only does it help to depersonalize the space, but it gives the sense of larger and more open spaces.
- The role of the kitchen – Don’t underestimate the importance of your kitchen. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. If you’re on a budget, one of the fastest and cheapest upgrades you can do is painting the walls a neutral color and investing in some new cabinet hardware. A neutral color palette plays into the idea of potential home buyers seeing the house as theirs.
- Remove your pets – Remember that not everyone is an animal lover, so put away dog or cat supplies and clean and deodorize the house. It gives the impression that the house is clean and tidy. In particular, if you’re planning an open house, send your pets to a kennel or to a friend’s house for the time being.
