Here are some tips for selling your home that will help you get the maximum value from your property:
- Make the Most of that First Impression. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
- Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends. Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. If you’re worried about time, hire professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look “with a little work.”
- Check Faucets and Bulbs. Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.
- Don’t Shut Out a Sale. If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
- Think Safety. Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller
skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors. - Make Room for Space. Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
- Consider Your Closets. The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
- Make Your Bathroom Sparkle. Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.
- Create Dream Bedrooms. Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
- Open up in the Daytime. Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so
prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is. - Lighten up at Night. Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights – both
inside and outside – when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome. - Avoid Crowd Scenes. Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home and the owners are present. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they’re likely to hurry through. If at all possible, leave your home 10-15 minutes before your scheduled showing or at least keep the company present to a minimum.
- Watch Your Pets. Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least confined to a pet crate.
- Think Volume. Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the stereo and turn off the TV.
- Relax. If you must be present for a showing then be friendly, but don’t try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction.
- Don’t Apologize. No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home’s appearance, let the experienced real estate agent handle the situation.
- Keep a Low Profile. Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But agents
know buyers – what they need and what they want. Let the agent articulate the virtues of your home while you remain in the background. - Don’t Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store. When prospects come to view your home, don’t distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
- Defer to Experience. When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other real estate
matters, let them speak to an expert – the Realtor. - Help Your Agent. Always keep your home “show ready” and be flexible about showings. The best buyers for your home may not give you much notice because they are a transferee or have a tight schedule. Work with your agent so your home is shown as often as it can be.
Next, check out low cost ways of sprucing up your home’s exterior!