4 Secrets to Selling Your Home

With the number of homes on the market today, home buyers can afford to be picky. Buyers are looking for the best, so a home can easily slip through the cracks if it’s not in pristine condition. Use these four tips to get your home into shape before getting it on the market.

Stage Your Exterior

The exterior of your home is the crucial first impression for a prospective home buyer, whether they are looking up homes for sale on Zillow or driving down your street. Make your lawn immaculate by keeping it mowed, pruning any trees or bushes, and plant some flowers to boost the appeal. Give your gutters some cleaning love, and pressure wash your siding. If your exterior needs a fresh coat of paint, go ahead and get it done as well. Help prospective home buyers visualize themselves enjoying your porch or yard by staging some outdoor furniture essentials.

Remove Clutter and Depersonalize

Buyers want to visualize your house being their house. Packing away all the things that make your home your personal sanctuary such as family photos and knickknacks will help. Removing all the extra stuff will also provide your interior with a more spacious vibe. Re-arrange your furniture to maximize usable space and give the impression that the room is larger than it is.

Be Proactive with Repairs

Remember that you are competing with others to get your home sold, including low-priced foreclosures and short sales. The condition of your home is where it can bypass the others. Consider having a termite inspection in advance of listing your home, and get as many repairs done as you can – it’s a major selling point to be able to advertise a very low or non-existent repair bill. Don’t forget to handle the little nicks and scratches, wobbly doorknobs, and loose handles before you start showing your home.

Clean and Neutralize

You will have buyer after buyer visiting your home, and it will need to be squeaky clean. From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between, clean your home until it sparkles. Take the time to neutralize any custom colors like repainting your little girl’s bright pink bedroom walls. Adding crown molding is another easy upgrade to make your rooms pop.

If you aren’t sure about which upgrades are necessary for your home, consult your realtor or look at the sold listings in your neighborhood that are comparable to yours. Check out their photos online, and see what kind of colors and upgrades they used to sell their home.