Making Your Home Attractive for Sale

Some may ask: "How easy is it to sell a home?" Well, it can be easy if you put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. When the buyer walks into your home, how can you ensure that the buyer can view it as his/her "new home?" Here are a few suggestions for you to consider: 

1. Is your home "too personal?" Is it specific to your taste? Or does it reflect a canvas in which a potential buyer can visualize living? Ask yourself:

• Is there unusual art or furnishings that should be removed?
  
• What about unusual wall colors and wallpaper? Making your home neutral will make it easier for your potential buyers to visualize themselves living there.
  
•  What about smells? What does your home smell like? Does it smell like food, pets, smoking? When you walk into a home, you really shouldn't smell anything. The easiest way to determine whet your home smells like is to ask an honest relative or friend what your home smells like; and by all means, don't be offended by teh response. 
• Check the noise level in your home. Is it loud? Are their children or barking dogs? If so, make sure that these sounds are non-existent during a showing of your home. 
• More, importantly, remove any strong religious or political statements. Not everyone thinks like you do. And you have to ask yourself... "Is it more important to sell your home? Or, to take a strong political or religious stance."

2.  Does your home look cluttered? How is our property perceived? Is the lawn manicured? What about peeling paint? The property should look as if it is "well-cared for." The ideal property would be neutral, uncluttered, and smells new and clean. 

• Pack up personal photos and knick-knacks.
• Dust everything. 
• Deep clean everything (Stove, refrigerator, floors, carpet). Pay close attention to bathrooms and kitchen.
• Consider updating faucets, fixtures and light plates if they are outdated. 

3. What about the outside of your home? 

• Is the garden weed-free?
• Is the siding freshly painted and/or washed?
• What about the windows? Are the clean and streak-free? 
• Make sure the shrubs are not overgrown; and the lawn is neat and free from leaves and debris. 
• Are the concrete cracks weed-free? 

4.  Make sure drapes are open and lights are on for your showings. 

More importantly, MAKE YOURSELF SCARCE! Buyers want to feel comfortable and speak freely during the showing. They want to be able to picture themselves living in the home. And believe me, it's a lot better to visualize when you are comfortable and don't have to wonder whether someone is listening. 

For more questions, please feel free to contact us, we will be glad to help.