Are you ready To Sell? Tips for Selling Your Home…
We want to sell your home quickly and successfully. Here are some tips for selling your home. It all begins with you, long before you open the door for your first showing. At the top of the list are the 3 “D’s of preparing your home.
De-Clutter
This is paramount! When prospective buyers walk through your home, you want them to imagine it as if it were their own. You can help them envision their dream space by presenting a clean, clutter-free environment. Clear off counters, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, store small appliances and personal items. Garage sale, donate, and invest in a temporary storage unit if possible. Sell, give away and pack away anything and everything you don’t need or use on a regular basis. This includes everything from furniture & sports equipment to small appliances, seasonal clothing, and more. Show off storage space by clearing out those closets and storage areas! Added bonus: you’ll have a head start on your packing when it’s time to move!
De-Personalize
Pack up and put away family photos, souvenirs, knick-knacks and personal items. These items are special to you, but you want to create a blank canvas so prospective buyers can envision their own personal items in your space. Help them out as best as you can and again, head start on your packing!
Detach
Often the hardest of the 3 “D”s – you may have raised your family here, it may be your first home and it may be full of memories but now you must look at your home as a product being offered for sale. Time to polish and shine and make your home stand out from the rest. And also time to develop a tough skin. Not everyone who views will feel the same about your home as you do so be prepared for negative feedback. Try not to take negative comments or feedback personally, just fix what you can & let go of what you can’t.
Houzz.com offers some great insight and in-depth tips to maximize your decluttering and depersonalizing efforts HERE!
Need More Tips for Selling Your Home?
Potential buyers will be looking for visual clues that your home is well cared for. How much work a house appears to require will have a significant impact a buyer’s offer or may deter one altogether. It’s worthwhile to ensure that everything is in good working order beforehand. Here are a few other things to consider.
BATHROOMS – Ensure plumbing fixtures are clean and in good working order. Outfit leaky faucets with new washers and clean any visible stains on porcelain fixtures. Replace old, worn shower curtains and bath mats.
DOORS & WINDOWS – Spray WD40 on all hinges so everything operates smoothly. Clean windows inside & out. Potential buyers will be estimating their energy costs, so fix drafts by re-caulking windows and replacing exterior doors if necessary.
WALLS & FLOORS – A fresh coat of paint will instantly transforms any space, helping it to look neat, clean, and up-to-date. Fix imperfections like cracks and nail holes before painting. Steam clean carpets and runners and repair any chipped or loose floor tiles.
ATMOSPHERE – Be mindful of the odours left behind by pets and smokers and consider using an environmentally friendly room fragrance to neutralize unpleasant scents. Replace light bulbs and/or add light fixtures in dark hallways, basements, garages and closets.
CHECK YOUR CURB APPEAL – First impressions are everything. Many people will simply drive by a listing and make a decision based on the home’s curb appeal. Maintaining a neat and attractive exterior to your home will show buyers that you take pride in your property. Keep the driveway clear of debris, lawn mowed, leaves raked & garden beds neat.