How To Prepare Your Home For Sale
The number of homes a buyer has to choose from is high and with the ease with which a buyer can find your home if it is for sale on the internet, you need to make sure it looks better than the competition. If you currently have your home for sale or are planning to list your home for sale, there are important actions that you, as the seller, must take to elevate your home above the crowded market. The number of homes for sale that your home will be competing against is greater than in the past several years and there are fewer buyers in the market. You will have to make an impression on a buyer that your home is the right fit for them before they take one step in your house. Here are some common sense ideas you can implement to rise above the crowd. If you don't do theses things, your list price will need to be reduced to reflect these shortcomings.
Begin With the Outside of Your Home
Everyone knows that you only get one chance to make a first impression, so what should that impression be? Start with the view from the street to the front door. If your mailbox shows its age, paint it or replace it. If your home is painted, a good rule of thumb is that if it has been more than 5 years since it was painted, it probably needs to be painted again. Pressure wash the curb, driveway and sidewalk. Make sure your lawn is manicured and your plants look fresh and inviting. Finally, consider your front door itself. Make sure the paint is fresh, the locks work easily and the door opens with out any use of force.
Lighting is the First Impression on a Buyer
Brighter is better here so make sure all lights are operational with the highest wattage bulb allowed for each fixture. If you have gold/brass fixtures in your house, you need to either replace them or realize that you need to reflect for these dated items in your price.
De-clutter
Remove unnecessary items from tables, mantles, floors and counters. Items in these areas tend to shrink the feel of the house. Personal items should be removed wherever possible. Your goal is to sell your home so keep your buyers focus on the house, not on you.
Clean Everything – Remove Bad Odors
Buyers do not want to know that you actually live there. Baseboards, windows, cabinets, ceiling fans, mantles, sinks, doors handles, shelves, vacuum all carpets and treat stains, thoroughly clean hardwood floors, organize the laundry room and pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Dirt and grime can make a buyer feel that a home has not been cared for and will frequently result in no offer or an offer that is lower than you might have otherwise received.
Garage and Basement
Remember what the intended uses of these spaces are. Your garage is a place to keep your car out of the weather and offers a second entrance into an out of your home. Place items of storage in organized boxes in your basement and give the impression to the buyer that you are ready to move.
Organize Your Closets
Buyers like to peek into closets to see if there is adequate storage for there possessions. Maximize the appearance of space through minimizing the number of items in your closets. Ensure that all itmes are folded properly and organized.
Bedrooms Must be Tidy
The impression your bedroom should have on a buyer needs to be about the room - not you. To that end, your bed should be made, clothes and shoes should be out of site and this is the one place in the house where softer lighting is appropriate.
Paint Wherever Necessary
Do not skip this step. With paint, you have a chance to freshen up walls that will add new life to your home. The entrance, heavily trafficked areas, doors, bathrooms and kitchens are the most common areas that will need a fresh coat of paint.
Light Fixtures, Faucets and Door Hardware
Think of these items as the jewelry inside your home. These items must be in keeping with today’s style and the overall architectural feel of your home. This is another area that you must not overlook. You can be sure that your buyers will notice outdated items as soon as they see them. Replace all outdated fixtures or reduce your price.
Systems in Your Home
If your hot water heater, air conditioner, furnace and electrical systems are not new, understand that your homes value will be reduced because of it. Anything past 7-8 years will be a negative to a buyer because those items will likely need to be replaced prior to them being able to sell. This can be a signifcant cost and will put off many buyers. your price should reflect your use of these items and you should also be aware that buyers will be planning on paying for these items to be replaced at some point during their time owning the home.
Structural Issues – Roofing and Siding
There is a common term home inspectors will use when referring parts of your home . It is called “useful life”. If you have a roof or siding that is nearing the end of its useful life, replace it.
Stage Your Home
Create a welcoming environment in your home by showing each room in a clean and organized way that fits with the intended purpose of that room. If you are not comfortable or talented in this area, hire a professional. If there are two homes equal in every other way, the one that is staged will sell first.
Flooring
Is your carpet new? Does your tile meet the style todays buyers expect? If they don't, you will lose many buyers or receive offers that are reduced due to dated flooring.
Elevate your Home Above The Crowd
This is a tough market for sellers. If you are serious about selling your home, you need to make sure that your home tells buyers that you are serious. If not, you may have a home that sits on the market or sells for a price that is much lower than what you hoped for. Some of the suggestions listed above may be a hard pill to swallow. You can be sure however, that in today’s market, if you do not complete these, another seller nearby will, and their home will sell before yours, faster and for more money. For every item not completed on this list you will reduce the selling price of your home and it will take longer for your home to sell. As a Real Estate professional, I feel that it is in your best interest to tell you the truth up front to eliminate problems before they happen. By following the guidelines above you will have gone a long way to present your home in a way that helps it stand above the competition.
Contact The Ryan Ward Group - 404.630.3187
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