Today, homes don't simply sell themselves. The days of putting a sign in the yard and getting a full price offer are long gone. To win the battle for buyer attention and the best offers, you have to play an active role in marketing your home. Along with pricing your home accurately and competitively, you want it to present as appealing as possible! After all, you wouldn't buy a car with dents and dirt on it, why would you try to peddle a home that it less than stellar looking? It's true that first impressions are the most important. You want your home to leave a lasting impression of warmth and comfort, as well as affordability to the buyer. Here are some tips to help you do that!
Go to competing homes' open houses! See how they are decorated/cleaned/staged and what features they have to offer. Not the property condition and move-in readiness in comparison to the price.
•Shoot Sample Photos
Before you show your home to the public, take a look at it from their view. Do you notice your family photos, or the toy box in the corner, or your collection of sewing thimbles on the wall? Those are all items that makes it your home. You may consider removing them to "depersonalize" the room and give the buyer the opportunity to imagine the space with their own items there.
•Eliminate the Excess
Simply put, if you're not using and you have to dust around it, pack it up or get rid of it. These items are considered clutter and you will be doing yourself a favor to get a jump start on packing it up.
•Clear off Counter Space
When it comes to the tops of your tables and counters, less is more. Clear off your counter spaces except for the occasional decorative or functional pieces (clocks or vases or flowers). Remember, your goal is to help buyers see themselves in a home and they can't do that with your stuff in the way.
•Clean Inside and Out
Everyone thinks they know what "clean" means when it comes to their own home. Here's where an agent or a professional stager can be super helpful. Invite them in to get an outsiders opinion on how to make the nooks and crannies you've forgotten about glisten. If a buyer can see cluttered closets, dirty baseboards, or dusty ceiling fans, they can start looking for other areas that will be "not up to par." The best selling homes tend to have garages, basements, side yards and other outdoor spaces that are just as immaculate as their kitchens, bathrooms and master bedrooms.
•Dive in to the Trim and Details Early
It's tempting, when staging, to do the big jobs -painting walls, polishing floors, moving furniture - and to run out of steam and cash before the little details get handled. Some of the least expensive home staging projects can carry the most buyer-impressing payload. Here are a few details to tackle to make your listing standout:
Clean or paint baseboards and other trim.
Ensure locks, doors, and drawers work properly.
Paint or replace outdoor accents like house numbers or mailboxes.
When all else fails, take your agent with you. Arm her with a packet of post-it notes and give them free rein to stick one on anything that should be removed before showing the home. Then get that stuff out of there! Your Realtor should be able to recommend a staging professional or cleaning company to help you, should you need it.
If you need any further information, or have questions about selling your home, please contact me! I would love to help with all of your real estate needs, and I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!
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