If you’re thinking about listing your house in the next couple of months, take advantage of this extra time at home over the holidays. Chances are, there’s probably a list of things a mile long that you want to do to increase the value, but you just haven’t had the time.
If you’re ready to tackle your to-do list, follow these crucial tips to make sure your home is ready so that you can hook a possible buyer at first sight.
Here are 4 of my best tricks for getting a home ready to sell, all while still hanging out with your family.
#1 Declutter your entire house (top to bottom)
If you’ve lived in a space for an extended period of time, you’ve probably accumulated quite the collection of “stuff”. However, most buyers aren’t there to look at all your knick-knacks you’ve collected over the years. They’re trying to picture themselves living in the space. And it’s hard for them to picture living there with all your personal things scattered around. Rooms that you should focus on include the kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, and living rooms. This also means tucking away your prized possessions and family pictures. Trust me on this one!
#2 Freshen up your paint
If you’re like most of my sellers, you probably have some scratches on the walls, chipping paint on the baseboards, and normal wear and tear that comes with living in a home. There’s nothing like a little fresh paint to bring a space to life, and make it look brand spanking new! If you’ve got some leftover paint cans hanging around the garage, go ahead and break out the paint brush and do touch ups throughout the home. Taking the time to make things like new will pay-off in the end, because buyers will feel much more confident about making an offer.
#3 Organize the closets
Closet space can be a huge selling point. So, you’ll want to add cleaning out all your closets to the list. Because let’s face it, having storage space can make or break a sale. And if your closet is jammed packed full, this could be a turnoff for a buyer that’s looking for something with plenty of space. My advice is to take about half of your belongings out of your closet. Why? Because it will free up space and make it appear that you have all the space you could possibly need (and more). Be sure to do the same thing to your cabinets. Clean and tidy will win the day!
#4 Make sure the outside looks fresh and clean
There’s nothing that can scare away a potential buyer quite like a junky yard. If it’s a nice sunny day outside, take advantage by making your exterior look welcoming. Start by mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and trimming the hedges. Don’t forget to put away the garden hose, the kids’ bikes and move the cars out of the driveway. By working on your curb appeal, you’re paving the way for potential buyers to feel welcomed and at home as soon as they pull up in the driveway.
If you’re seriously thinking about making a move next year, these tips can only help you make a faster sale and at a higher price point. Putting these items off and then trying to do all of it last minute will show when you’re trying to list your home. So do them now.
If you’re thinking about making a move, I can help you through the process. Let’s chat!
