Selling your home can bring an entirely new version of stress into your life, so to make it easier, take these steps to avoid the top 10 biggest mistakes!
Step 1.
Declutter! You're all ready planning to move. Go ahead and start packing up stuff that you don't need. If you have dust around it or dig to find it, pack it up! Stuffed closets, crowded countertops, knick knacks, broken exercise equipment, and overflowing drawers can make a home seem smaller than it is. Consider a yard sale or storage unit.
Step 2.
Hide your pets. Just because your fur babies are part of your family, doesn't necessarily mean that potential buyers will appreciate them as much. Remove your pets for all showings- take them with you, keep them at a neighbor's house, or consider kenneling at a doggie day spa. Erase them from your home! Have the carpets, and possibly furniture, professionally cleaned to eliminate any pet odors. Often when non-pet families enter a pet friendly home, they'll pick up on the slightest animal smell, no matter how clean your pet family is! And a clean smelling home is always inviting!
Step 3.
Be scarce yourself! You know how it feels when you walk into a department store and there are salespeople everywhere trying to help you or offering advice on something? That's how potential home buyers feel when they are looking and trying to envision themselves living in a home and the homeowner is lurking around.
Step 4.
Don't discount the first offer. It's easy to be offended when you receive a low ball offer on your home. However, it's easier to negotiate with someone who is willing to put an offer on the table, rather than no one! The longer you hold out for a better offer, the more likely you are not to get one.
Step 5.
Always negotiate. Don't take it personally. This is a business transaction, and most often than not, the buyer that made an offer is somewhat emotional about the decision. There is usually always a way to meet in the middle to achieve a win-win!
Step 6.
Out with the old! This is the time to replace burnt light bulbs, broken blinds, worn or tattered carpet. You wouldn't purchase a dented, dirty car over an immaculate shiny one would you? The same goes for house shopping. Put your best foot forward. You may need to invest a little bit of money to spruce up, but this is the time to spend money to make money!
Step 7.
Remember curb appeal. It's very important for the outside to be just as immaculate as the inside. Freshen the mulch, keep the grass trimmed and the flower beds weeded. Any peeling paint or missing siding- fix it! Clean the gutters and pressure wash if needed.
Step 8.
Depersonalize! Take down your treasured personal touches- children's refrigerator artwork, treasured religious artifacts, ultimate frisbee trophies and Johnny Cash shrine. These things can be valuable and it's safer if they're not in plain sight anyway, but besides that, it's more difficult for potential buyers to visualize themselves living there.
Step 9.
Light and Bright! Buyers are always attracted to light, bright, and warm homes. If it seems dreary they'll feel dreary in the home. Rid the home of heavy drapery, get high wattage bulbs, clean the windows, and consider ditching the wallpaper or wood paneling.
Step 10.
Get on the honey-do list! It's almost always cheaper to fix what's broken, rather than wait for a professional to do it. And you'll save yourself more in the front end if you can identify the things that need taken care of rather than wait for a buyer or home inspector to find it for you. Ultimately what happens is if a buyer finds one small thing that needs repaired or replaced, they will start looking for more. So go ahead and save some time, headache and dollars and knock out those honey-do items!
Taking these steps can help you avoid the top 10 biggest mistakes! Call me if you have any questions, or if you'd like to discuss what you need to do to get your home sold!
Amanda Parmer
Red Sapphire Realty Group
Keller Williams Realty
910.545.0450
Click here for a list of great homes for sale near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
