So if you are considering selling your home, here are some tips from the pros that will make your home more appealing when you decide to list it. Whether it’s finding your dream home, selling your current home or searching for that ideal piece of land for your forever home; our team of skilled professional realtors and seasoned negotiators are at your disposal. Hearing your ideas and plans allows us to better understand what is most important in achieving your real estate goals. Don’t forget that we have numerous resources and contacts and we will assist you throughout the selling process!
Declutter and Depersonalize
You”ll want to have just enough furnishings in your home for staging; removing personal items like family photos, collectibles, and keepsakes will allow prospective buyers to better envision their furnishings in your home. Place excess furniture and personal effects in a storage unit. Most people can’t have too much closet space! Remove all but 1⁄3 of the clothes from your closets– making sure the things that remain are neatly organized. Whatever home furnishings that you leave should accent the space and flow of your home. Your entryway should be inviting– perhaps some fresh-cut flowers or a plate of cookies or candies on the coffee table!
Conceal Your Pets
Although our 4-legged friends are family, once your house is on the market, consider boarding them at a pet kennel or with relatives temporarily. Just as you have placed your personal effects in storage, all pet paraphernalia should be removed as well. Schedule a pet spa day or alternative arrangements on the day of your open house.
Refresh and Replace
Now that you’ve cleared the cobwebs and dust bunnies and depersonalized your home, a fresh coat of paint will brighten up the interior. Also, switch out your low-wattage light bulbs with higher ones. Then take down the blinds and curtains, wash your windows and launder those window panels or replace them with inexpensive sheers. Let the sunshine in; natural lighting and location are the top two criteria that home buyers mention when looking for a home. Fix any water leaks or dripping faucets and toilet tank issues. Replace any cracked electrical switch and outlet covers throughout your house.
Strategically Choose Your Upgrades
The purpose of making upgrades before selling your home is to improve the functionality of a space and to increase the value of your home without breaking the bank. Upgrading doesn’t mean a total renovation and it can equal a significant increase in cost. The kitchen is the hub of every home; it can seal the deal or be a costly reduction at closing if it is dated. Refresh! If possible, buy 1 new kitchen appliance too. Replace the butcher block countertops, and recondition the cabinets and drawers assuring that they open and close properly. Then replace kitchen cabinet handles and drawer pulls. A fresh coat of paint on the walls will substantially improve your kitchen’s appearance and overall home value.
Be The Buyer
When you come back from the store and you turn onto your street, look at the front yards and homes of your neighbors. What can you do to improve your home’s curb appeal? Trim all hedges away from windows that block out the light. You may want to prune a few tree limbs to make your house more visible from the street. Freshen your flower beds with mulch or pine straw. If you have a concrete drive or walkway, pressure wash it when you clean the exterior of your house. Then take another look! Now doesn’t that look great! Improving your home’s curb appeal is relatively inexpensive and a neat lot will make your home stand out and before you know it, a second look ends with a signed contract.
Nathan Goddard
(864) 230-4599
nathanG@CaseygroupRE.com
