Tips To Sell Your Old Home
Even if we are not ready to admit it, summer is almost half-way over and soon enough the chill of winter will be at our doors. For those who are looking to purchase a new home and move-in before the snow arrives, it can be a mad rush to get everything settled. The biggest concern for most new homebuyers is to ensure that their old home is sold and off the market so that they can avoid having to pay two mortgages at once. Follow these quick tips to ensure that your old home is in the right condition to attract buyers and help you sell fast.
Maintain Curb Appeal
Like it or not first impressions matter, and most individuals do tend to judge a book by it’s cover. If a prospect approaches your house and already has red flags before they even walk in the front door then chances are you have already lost them. Spend some quality time cleaning up the exterior of your home to make it feel as inviting as possible. Repaint and touch up areas of your house and front porch where the paint may be cracking or peeling. Pressure wash your driveway, ensure the lawn is always well maintained and consider purchasing some brightly colored plants for the front entryway. For more tips on how to increase curb appeal, click here.
Invest in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the house which makes it the most important room to consider when prepping your home to sell. If your kitchen is outdated, then consider investing in new cabinet hardware or a fresh and neutral new paint. Remove most of your small appliances from the countertops and stage the kitchen area to be inviting and organized. If you are willing to invest more money, upgrade the appliances to stainless steel to bring a new life to the room. For more budget friendly ways to update your kitchen, click here.
De-personalize and De-clutter
When preparing your home to be sold, try to remove all the personal items that make it your own such as family photos, religious décor, travel memorabilia etc. Buyers want to be able to walk-in and visualize themselves in the home and that becomes much more difficult to do when every room is covered in pictures of your kids and pets. Similarly, it is important to remove any unnecessary items that may contribute to the home feeling cluttered. While you may love displaying all your old books and DVD’s, it can make the room feel much smaller than it is. Minimalism is key when staging your home so that others can see the actual space that is available.
Always be ready to show
Believe it or not, homes that don’t get shown don’t sell. Even if it may be inconvenient to you at the time, be prepared to show your home at any time of the day. Not only does this mean being ready to leave your home for short periods of time while buyers tour the property, but this also means ensuring your home is always clean and presentable. Don’t leave dirty dishes on the counter, and keep laundry tucked away and hidden from plain site.
Price it Right
In today’s market, buyers are more educated than ever about comparable sales in the area and they know that they have options. Find out what your home is worth, and then ask your realtor to get you the sales prices of the three most similar homes that have sold in your area in the last few months. Be prepared to set the selling price of your house 10-15% below that. Remember that buyers are looking for the best deals and you will get far more traffic and offers on your home if you price your home appropriately. Click here for some strategies on how to effectively price your home.
Pay Attention to Detail
Small details make big differences, so take the time to ensure every little thing is considered. Lighting is a huge factor for new homebuyers when picking a house as they don’t want to live in a home that is dark and dreary. Clean your windows, remove the drapes, trim any outdoor hedges that may be blocking natural light, and ensure all lightbulbs in the house are shining bright. Storage space is another big concern for individuals, so consider investing in a storage locker and pack away all unnecessary items. Remove the clothes from your closet that you do not wear often to provide the illusion of extra space. Finally, if you are a pet owner we suggest you hide away items for your little critters such as food bowls and toys. Most importantly of all, ensure that your home does not smell of pets and do your best to remove any trace of pet hair.
Selling your home can be stressful, but we want to help make it as easy as possible for you. Instead of over-relying on your realtor, consider making these little changes yourself to make your home as desirable as possible.
Have a great weekend,
Cedarglen Marketing