Sell your home faster and for more money.
Photo by Brian Babb on Unsplash
With the summer selling season ramping up, the process of getting a property ready to put on the market can seem daunting enough. It doesn’t matter if the home has been recently renovated, it’s a fixer-upper or somewhere in between. Every home has its own unique selling challenges, but the goal is the same. Buyers need to be able to see themselves living there.
There are quite a few simple and affordable (even free) things sellers can do that will help make their homes more appealing to buyers. A little effort can go a long way and ultimately help improve the bottom line. While agents will always make suggestions specific to the home itself, here the things every seller should do prior to the first showing.
Get Out Of The House
Selling an occupied house has a unique set of challenges, so it’s important to make sure buyers are able to imagine themselves living there, as opposed to visiting someone else’s home. If there is just one thing every seller needs to do before an agent shows their home, it’s leave. Sellers should not be present during showings. According to John Manning of RE/MAX On Market, “Buyers walk into a home and picture themselves living there. This is their time to dream and romanticize their future life in a new home,” he says.
This also means removing small items that most people wouldn’t even think of. “Things like a used bath towel hanging on a hook or dishes in the sink can make a buyer feel that they are in somebody else’s home rather than imagine the possibilities of making it their own,” Manning explains.
Keep It Neat
Less is more. Clutter really distracts buyers and can give them the wrong impression. Broker Robert Morey of RE/MAX Right Choice Real Estate stresses the importance of looking at things through the buyer’s eyes. “If too many things are jammed into a closet, the buyer will likely think there’s not enough storage in the home,” he says.
Selling your home is also a good opportunity to clean out your closet. “You never know how much stuff you have until you try to move it, and, if you have more stuff on hand than will comfortably fit in your home without overfilling the closets,” he says.
Get a storage unit if need be.
Keep It Clean
According to Marti Hampton of RE/MAX One Realty, “Everyone has a different definition of clean, but the type of clean we are talking about is the next level.”
Hampton believes it is best if your home is spotless, “Think doctor’s office, antiseptic clean,” she says.
Every single inch should be able to pass the white glove test, from baseboards to ceilings.
Deodorize The Home
Buyers can literally smell things that sellers cannot. This is especially true if the home has pets, explains Morey. “If you have a dog or a cat, or if you a finished lower level, and you’re not running a dehumidifier, your home could present a buyer with some pet related odors, or a moldy, damp odor,” he says.
But these problems aren’t limited to pet owners. Smokers have similar issues. “Buyers are very sensitive to anything that diminishes the livability of a home and odors rank high on the list of sales inhibitors,” says Manning.
Luckily, there is a simple fix for smokers. Just have the walls painted and primed, which is something most sellers should probably be doing anyway. However, Manning reveals that agents often face resistance when it comes to repainting. “We insist on having this potentially unpopular conversation because it can have a major impact on the marketability of a home.”
Candles, diffusers, and other scented products can help, but they can also be bothersome. Taking out the garbage and baking a loaf of bread never hurts.
Paint The Walls
A fresh coat of paint on the walls requires minimal effort and has maximum payoff. However, Hampton says choosing the right color is essential. “Bright, bold colors will make selling your home more difficult than it has to be,” she explains. “Go with what’s popular to make it easy for people to love the home. Choose inviting and on-trend neutrals. Grey shades are huge right now and are a great starting point when your home needs an update.”
Make Sure The Floors Are Spotless
No one is attracted to old, dirty carpeting. “Many people can overlook their carpets and flooring, but it is actually quite a selling point,” says Hampton. She suggests having carpets cleaned and stretched professionally.
Hardwood floors should be also be cleaned and in good repair. Depending on the property, it can be worthwhile to have the floors refinished.
Amplify Curb Appeal
Sellers never get a second chance to make a first impression. Curb appeal makes all the difference. While this can sound intimidating, Anthony Askowitz of RE/MAX Advance Realty II, shares that it’s important to remove garbage cans, newspapers, spider webs, weeds, leaves, fallen fruit from fruit trees and animal droppings. He also stresses that the mailbox should be standing upright and the “For Sale” sign is in good repair.
Clean Up The Yard
“An unkempt or cluttered yard can suggest the homeowner doesn’t care about their home,” says Manning. While this might not feel like much, this can cause buyers to worry about what other maintenance issues have been ignored or neglected.
A well-landscaped property will also attract buyers. Hire a professional if necessary.
Have The Home Inspected
A home inspection may feel like just another task or something else to pay for, but Hampton believes this isn’t a step to skip over. “A home inspection goes a long way and will save you time in the long run. Performing a preliminary home inspection allows you to catch potential issues early on in the listing process and fix them before any potential clients step foot inside.”
A home in good repair will be more appealing to buyers, but more importantly, it can help achieve a higher listing price.