Your home has been your sanctuary, but things have changed, and it’s time to move on to whatever comes next in your life. Since property is also a substantial financial asset, it’s important to get the best price when you’re ready to sell.
This brings us to the topic of presentation. The appearance and condition of your home have a direct impact on how much buyers are willing to offer.
Fortunately, preparing for a successful sale doesn’t always require investing in over-the-top renovations. Standing out is all about the small details, especially the ones buyers notice right away.
If you’re looking for effective tips to impress everyone who walks in your door, this comprehensive yet simple checklist can help.
Curious about the listing process and how to get maximum results when selling your home? Our detailed Home Seller’s Guide is just what you need!
Step One: Think About the Photos
Preparing for a profitable sale begins even before buyers start calling or visiting your home. To get to that point, you must capture their attention in the first place, which almost always begins online.
Vivid, detailed, high-quality photos set the stage for everything that happens later. Some homeowners rely on their smartphone camera. This can work if you have a flair for photography.
If not, it is better to leave photos and images to the professionals. This aspect of your sale is too important for shortcuts. Online presentation can be what drives early excitement and interest in your home, which can lead to better offers once in-person showings begin.
Beautiful presentation is just one component of selling your home. The right price is also essential, but how do you know what your property is worth? Easy! Start by booking your complimentary home evaluation.
Don’t Underestimate the Value of an Exterior Cleanup
Cleaning and decluttering is just as important on the outside of your home as it is on the inside. Imagine a buyer’s reaction in two scenarios:
They pull up to a house and are greeted by the sight of weeds, a lawn that hasn’t been mowed in quite some time, as well as piles of debris the wind and rain washed up. The inside could look like a magnificent castle, but the damage is done.
The first thing a buyer sees is a neat, recently mowed lawn and a carefully maintained garden. The walkways are clear, and the front door and siding have been power-washed. The buyer can imagine living here, and they can’t wait to see the inside of the house.
Here are a few simple steps to ensure showings begin on a positive note:
- Windows, doors, eaves, fences & railings: Are they chipped or faded, or perhaps in need of cleaning?
- Lawn & garden: Your house doesn’t have to grace the cover of a magazine to impress. Just keep the lawn tidy and ensure the garden is watered and maintained. Some fresh mulch also adds a beautiful finishing touch.
- Driveway: Does it need repaving? That may be an investment, but it’s one that can pay off when selling. At the very least, it could be time to get out your trusty power washer!
- Front planter: Front yard curb appeal can be this simple once you’ve completed the basic maintenance tasks.
- New house number: It’s so simple and really modernizes your home, yet very few sellers even think of it.
Once you’ve spruced up the outside, take a walk or drive around the block, then come back. Look at your home from a buyer’s perspective, as though you’ve never seen it before. Is it tidy and inviting, or is there still work to do? A local real estate agent with an eye for design can help you get the effect just right.
Are you selling a home in The Kingsway? Here are just a few reasons to choose Tickins Furlani to represent you.
Interior Design Tips for Maximum Impact
You’ve worked hard to create an appealing aesthetic. At this point, the goal is to keep buyers interested and intrigued as they tour the inside of your home. Once again, attention to what other sellers miss can make a difference.
Up the Wattage
Natural light is the best home stager you could ever ask for, and it can be as easy as flipping on all the switches before a buyer visits. Be sure to replace any burnt-out or low-wattage bulbs first. Since light is so important, it’s also a good idea to switch out dark curtains with soft sheers.
Paint
If there’s one recommendation we can make with full confidence every time, it’s a fresh coat of paint! Few things can modernize and brighten your home more, and fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest and least expensive improvements.
Other minor repairs can also go a long way to demonstrating a high level of care for your home. Replace any outdated or faded hardware, and be sure to perform those small tasks you’ve been meaning to attend to, such as the silicone around the bathtub or touching up the grout between tiles.
Deep Cleaning
Thorough, deep cleaning is non-negotiable if you want to sell your house at the highest possible price. There’s no cost, other than for supplies and your time, and sparkling clean presentation is the bare minimum in any market.
We don’t just mean a quick routine dusting and vacuuming, either. We mean deep cleaning in every room, even behind and under the furniture. If you have carpets, consider getting them professionally cleaned. You will be surprised at the final effect.
Decluttering
Decluttering goes hand in hand with cleaning, but it’s complex and important enough to warrant its own section. An organized, clutter-free home appears brighter and adds a sense of spaciousness, almost like having more square footage without having to build an addition!
Start by going through each room, every closet, and every drawer and cupboard to get rid of anything unnecessary. Serious buyers care about storage, so they will open up every door and drawer to imagine where they will put their own things.
If you have belongings that you can’t bring yourself to part with, at least consider putting them in a locker offsite or at a friend’s house. The goal is for all storage areas to be 75% full, maximum. If they’re overstuffed, it looks as though the house lacks sufficient closet space.
Worn-out clothing, ancient remotes, chargers for electronics no one uses anymore, and old toys must all go, but they aren’t the only clutter lying around your home. Too much furniture can also make a room look cramped and smaller than it actually is. Removing heavy, bulky items creates an open and inviting atmosphere.
Before showings, do a quick cleanup and clear off all counters in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the dressers in the bedrooms. Be sure the beds are neatly made, and fluff up all of the pillows for good measure.
A successful sale is the result of countless subtle details that a buyer may not consciously notice. They’ll just feel as though they’ve found their ideal home!
Do you want more advice or support when preparing your house for sale? Tickins Furlani is here to help. Give us a call today or send us an email to begin the conversation.
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