If you are worried and stressed about getting your home or apartment ready to sell, you are certainly not alone. The good news is that staging your home is not all that difficult. And if you spend some time getting the home ready to sell, you will be rewarded with both a faster sale and a considerably higher sale price.
By investing some effort and time upfront to prepare your home for showings, you will increase the likelihood of getting good offers soon after listing your home for sale. Follow these tips, and you will be on the right track towards successful showings and open houses with a home that shines and stands out for potential homebuyers.
Check for Clutter
Clutter is one of the most noticeable things to any prospective homebuyer. You should check some areas that usually collect clutter. Some of them are stairs, closets, and entryways. It is best to get rid of about one-third of your stuff, or you can stash unnecessary items in a storage unit.
This is an ideal time to make piles and throw away, sell or donate any items that you don’t use. You may have to rent storage space during the home-selling process. Note that keeping your belongings offsite is one of the best ways to maximize the space in your house.
Clean and Tidy up for Walkthroughs
Clean your home like you have never cleaned it before, and make sure you keep it that way. It is vital to keep your kitchen and bathrooms impeccable. You should also dust and mop. Sometimes, hiring a professional can be the best way to do this job thoroughly and quickly.
A spotless, neat, and clean home will make a considerably better first impression when prospective buyers walk through the front door.
Boost Curb Appeal
There is no doubt that the outside of your home gives homebuyers a first impression. You would like that first impression to be favorable. This is why you should work thoroughly on your landscaping by weeding the garden, keeping your yard mowed, and pruning the bushes.
Some other inexpensive and simple upgrades you can make are adding better light fixtures and replacing your mailbox. Also, replace old house numbers and your welcome mat.
You should also look closely at the rest of the exterior. It is essential to make sure that the gutters and siding are clean. Also, paint any area where the paint is starting to peel.
Lighten Up
You will likely know that good lighting is important in making your home more sellable. You should open the curtains, take down heavy drapery, and let the warm sunshine in.
Another tip is to cut back shrubbery and branches around windows in order to maximize natural light, as well as replace any burned-out bulbs with higher-wattage versions.
This will help create the impression of a nice, bright, and cheery interior. Also, just before the showing, remember to turn all the house lights on.
Remove any Polarizing Items
Your house may contain some polarizing items. These items include religious and political memorabilia. You may know that some people have very strong feelings about these kinds of things.
This is why you do not want a potential homebuyer to pre-judge your home on the basis of your political and religious beliefs. You should pack all these items in storage.
Make Minor Repairs
You will benefit from patching holes in the walls and replacing any broken appliances. Keep in mind that no problem or issue is too small from a potential buyer’s perspective. Similarly, make sure that you repair any cracked tiles and fix any cabinet issues.
Depersonalize
Depersonalizing your home is crucial as it will enable your viewers to see or imagine themselves living in your home. You should remove family photographs, your children’s artwork, and framed diplomas or personal collections.
Also, make sure that you do not only focus on the inside of the home. If your home exterior has some highly personalized decorations or modifications, it may start any showings off with a poor impression.
Eliminate Foul or Bad Smells
It is worth noting that a foul or unpleasant odor in a home can be one of the biggest turn-offs for a potential homebuyer. You will be able to get rid of any unpleasant odors and smells after a good clean. And even if it is winter, you can open your windows, giving your home some time to air out.
Did you know that homeowners usually become “immune” to odors and smells within their own homes? You don’t have to be shy. Just ask your friend or neighbor to give you an honest opinion.
You can add a pleasing smell by baking before an open house. In contrast, you can light a fresh-smelling candle.
Make Pet Provisions
You may find it hard to believe, but not everybody loves your dog or cat as much as you do. Keep in mind that obvious evidence of pet residents, like tufts of hair on your couch or litter boxes in plain sight, may deter and even distract buyers.
Things such as litter trays and pet beds could turn off a prospective homebuyer, and so can tripping over a discarded pet toy or bone!