First impressions have a major impact on potential buyers. It’s for this reason that a good real estate agent will walk through your home to suggest the proper repairs and upgrades to best compliment your home and sell it fast. With your agent, you will imagine what a potential buyer will see when they approach your house and walk through each room. they will know what potential buyers in your neighborhood and price range are looking at and what will help you sell your unique home and play up its features. In addition to your home- and neighborhood-specific tasks, here are some items common to every property that will help you show off your house to its fullest potential.
Night Lights
A lot of people aren’t aware that potential home buyers often drive by your house at night, as that’s when they have time to look at homes. If you don’t have adequate lighting to highlight your home’s features, invest in a new porch light and some ground lighting to highlight your walkway or features in your landscaping. Also, motion activated lighting is both a security feature, and will ensure that your potential buyers can see the front of your house.
Curb Appeal
Elevate your curb appeal by cleaning your yard, mowing & edging your lawn, and trimming your shrubs. Proactively address any negative first impressions that may catch buyer’s eyes such as cracks in concrete, weeds, broken porch posts, ugly doors, & any clutter that may be stored in your front yard. If you have a mailbox, make it appealing. Test your doorbell to ensure it works and makes a pleasant sound that is audible from the outside.
Prep the Inside
The first step to preparing your home for sale is to remove any unnecessary items from the home so that potential buyers can imagine their things in it. Less is more when it comes to furniture and decor. Leave the bare minimum for furniture to depict how large the space is, and then include decor only where you want features highlighted or the eye drawn.
Replace or shampoo all of the carpet, and focus on ensuring that the living room, master bedroom, kitchen and main bath areas are attractive and welcoming.
If needed, freshly caulk bathtubs and showers
Stage the bathrooms with a fresh roll of toilet paper (V.I.P folded, over not under, and pointed down in the shape of a triangle), brand new hand soap, new guest towels, and a clean shower curtain.
Dress beds with attractive, cohesive bed sets.
Remove all but 1/3 of your closet contents and get matching hangers.
Make All Small and Inexpensive Repairs
Buyers will look at all functioning items of the home and start a tally of even the smallest repairs. Be sure to repair all leaking faucets, defective or squeaky doors, light bulbs and fans. Replace filters, inspect and clean the water heater, and make appliances as presentable as possible. You can even include a sheet of paper attached to appliances explaining their desirable features, last maintenance dates, or share with potential buyers your average electric bills and other home expenses specific to your property.
Appeal To Their Senses During Open Houses
Appeal to the buyer’s senses and make them feel at home from the start.
If you follow these tips, your guests will feel welcome and will see themselves spending quality time in their home right from the start.