Preparing your home to sell doesn’t just mean hiring a realtor to stick a sign out front in the yard. There are a lot of preparations you should make to ensure your home is prepared to sell in the shortest time for the best offer possible.
Repair
Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the scratches on the baseboards and stair railings, doesn’t mean a buyer will too. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, be sure to get it done—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers like to snoop around, so be sure to fix any sticky doors or drawers as well. Finally, don’t forget to address any issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all, without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside.
Neutralize
You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. Replace any bold color choices on your floors and walls with something more neutral and bright—beiges, tans, grays, and whites. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new. Having a more neutral palate will help prospective buyers imagine what is possible with their own furniture and collectibles.
Stage
Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and décor touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a little mascara and blush—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup.
I can help you prepare your home to sell, navigating through all of these to do’s. I can let you know what is needed, and what isn’t, in order to make your home show worthy!