Staging sells houses. If you can’t hire a stager, there are several ways you can stay ahead of the curve and catch potential buyers the moment they step in your house. Keep in mind that the first impression is the “only” impression and your home needs to stand out among the competition. Ask your Realtor to give you some honest pointers… but then be ready to accept his honesty. He or she are there to help you sell your home. I hope you find these tips helpful.
Clear the Clutter – Before you put your house on the market, Clear the Clutter and Clean it. Think of a Model Home when you start the staging process. A model home is staged to sell. The rooms are painted with neutral colors, they have limited furniture that achieves room balance and flow, counters are kept clear, cabinets and closets are roomy, kitchens and bathrooms are sparking clean and curb appeal begins at the street. So cleaning is a no-brainer and clutter is a killer.
Let your buyers see your square footage, not your personal belongings. If necessary, rent a storage facilty. A cluttered home looks smaller and less airy. All of the pictures, knick-knacks, etc. are distracting to buyers.
Price it Right - Find out what your house is worth. We all want top dollar for our home because we all think it’s worth it. But keep in mind that an overpriced home will keep Realtor agents from showing your home. Ask your Realtor to do a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) and work with your Realtor to come up with a realistic price that will sell your home. A CMA will tell you what other, comparative homes in your neighborhood are selling for. You need this information to be competitive. Your Realtor will know which homes are selling fast and can give you unbiased and helpful information.
Half-Emply Closets – Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take half the stuff out of your closets, then neatly organize what’s left. Buyers will snoop, so be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.
Light it Up – Maximize the light in your home. Open the drapes and blinds because sunshine is the world’s best decorator. Nothing is more depressing than walking into a home where shades, curtains and blinds are closed. Most buyers look for light and bright so open it up, clean the windows inside and out, change out the dark lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs to 100 watt for every 50sf, and trim your bushes outside to let in the sunshine. Do what you have to do to make your home bright and cheery…it will make it more sellable.
Take the Home out of your House – One of the more important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. Get rid of a third of your stuff – put it in storage. This includes family photos, memorabilia collections, personal keepsakes, deer heads, political posters, etc.
Paint the Story – A coat or two of paint is always a good investment and an inexpensive one. Consider neutral colors for the walls and bold colors as accent pieces like a vase, pillows, artwork, pottery, etc. Flat paints work best for resting and relaxing areas and satin paint for common areas where there is a bit more action taking place and clean up is necessary.
Conceal the Critters – You might think your cuddly dog or cat would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you would be wrong. Not everybody is a cat or dog lover. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stick on their cloths. It will give the buyers the impression that your house is not clean.
Ditch the Kitsch and Hide your Opinions – My favorite example of unnecessary and unwelcome kitsch is the pink pig sitting on the fridge door asking if you’re eating again. It oinks when your potential buyer opens the refrigerator. This and other comical quips are great fun when you’re living in your home, but not when you’re trying to sell it. Especially avoid politically-charged material that expresses strong opinions. While you’re removing the pink pig, go ahead and remove all those magnets and pictures on your refrigerator that detracts from the kitchen.
Embrace the Quietude – When showing a home, music is not necessarily a bad thing but no music is usally preferred. If you decide to use music, don’t use music with vocals. If you are set on having music playing in the background, opt for soft jazz playing at a LOW level. Keep the television off. It’s a distraction.
Go Away – No buyers want to discuss your home while you are standing there. On average, my clients spend about 30-60 minutes in a home that has some promise and very few stay more than 5 minutes with the seller in earshot. If nothing else, ride around the block or visit a neighbor.
Keep it Clean – Once you’ve done the deep cleaning, decluttered the house, washed the windows inside and out, lightened it up, de-personalize it, emptied the closets, and cleaned up the outside, now you’ve got to keep it that way. You never know when the right buyer is going to stop by your home with a contract in hand.
Get it Sold – You now have the tools to get your home ready to put on the market. If you’re not working with a Realtor, call me and let me sell it for you. I’ll be glad to begin with a free, no obligation CMA (Comparitive Market Analysis).
Why use a Realtor - My experience, knowledge and professionalism will save you time, money, and most importantly ensuring that everything has been done properly and in accordance with the law and practice. Not every real estate agent is a Realtor. Licensed Realtors are bound by a strict Code of Ethics and are members of the National, State and Local Associations of Realtors. We also ensure that a licensed real estate agent will accompany interested buyers coming into your home. You’ll never have to worry about showing the home by yourself or when you’re away on vacation.
When buying a home, as your Realtor, I will do the legwork for you. By informing me of what you are looking for in a home, I can save you valuable time by sorting through the homes that are available and suit your needs, lifestyle, and budget. I will also have important information regarding the area, neighborhood, and the homes you might be interested in. I will also be available for your inspections and work with your inspector so that you remain as informed on the process as possible.
