1. Hire the Sellin With Elin Green Team
With over 15
years of experience, we are a dedicated team of professionals who not only
specialize in real estate but also customer service. Buying and selling a house
is so much more than a business transaction and it is not always easy. It is a
journey that we take seriously, because we care. We will be there every step of
the way, helping you to navigate the ups and downs and get you to the finish
line. Please call or email us for a no obligation conversation about what we
can do for you. We genuinely love what we do, are good at it, and are here to
help. We want to be your Realtors for life.
2. Consider Your Curb Appeal
Buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover.
Therefore, you will want to make sure their first impression of your home is a
good one, one that inspires them to stop by the open house or schedule a private
showing. By investing some effort in relatively easy fixes, like planting
colorful flowers and repainting your front door and shutters, the outside of
your house can beckon prospective buyers to come in. If you are not sure how to
improve your home's curb appeal, ask us for some suggestions.
3. Declutter Living Areas
Less is more when it comes to getting your
house ready to show. Do a clean sweep of counters, windowsills, tables, and all
other visible areas. (And, no one wants to see your toothbrush or hair products
J) Next, tackle behind closed doors: closets,
drawers, and cupboards since virtually nothing is off-limits for curious
buyers. If the house is overflowing, buyers may not be able to “see” how their
belongings fit into your home or worry there is not enough space. Either donate
your unwanted belongings or pack and store off site. Not only will clearing
clutter help your house look more appealing to buyers, it will also help you
once you've accepted an offer and it's time to move into a new home. Moving out
will be so much easier if some of your belongings are already packed.
4. Depersonalize Your Space
Remove any distractions so the buyers can
visualize themselves living in the house. Remove personal items and family
photos, as well as bold artwork and furniture that are very taste specific. The
goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their visions of their
own life and hopefully loving where they live. Go outside, put your buyer hat
on, walk back inside and look at your house from a different perspective.
5. Repaint Walls to Neutral Tones
You might love that orange accent wall, but if
it’s your potential buyer’s least favorite color, that could be a turnoff.
Neutral colors are a safe bet because it is rare that anyone dislikes it. In
addition, a light color allows buyers to envision what the walls would look
like with the color of their choice. It is the seller's job to help buyers
picture themselves in the house. If they do not feel at home, they will
probably look at other options.
6. Touch Up Any Scuff Marks
Even if you are not doing a full-on repainting
project, pay special attention to the baseboards, windowsills, and doorframes.
A deep clean of these areas and paint touch up will make the house look clean
and well cared-for. When buyers walk into an open house, or go on a home tour,
they want to fall in love with the house, not add a bunch of small repairs to
their to-do list. A home that is truly move-in ready, will typically get more
interest, possibly multiple offers and a higher price.
7. Fix Any Loose Handles
It's a small thing, but you would be surprised
by the negative effect a loose handle, dripping faucet or missing lightbulb can
have on a buyer. They might begin thinking, what else is broken here? You may
even consider having a prelisting home inspection completed and make any
necessary repairs. Again, a home that is truly move-in ready, will typically get
more interest, possibly multiple offers and a higher price.
8. Add Some Plants
When staging your house, remember that green is
good. Plants create a bright and more welcoming environment. You might also
want to consider a bouquet of flowers or bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter
or dining table.
9. Conduct a Smell Test
Foul odors, even slight ones, can be a deal
breaker. Invite an unbiased third party in to try to detect any pet smells or
lingering odors from your kitchen. If the smells are pervasive, prepare to do
some deep cleaning as many buyers are on to seller's “masking techniques” such
as candles or plug-in room deodorizers. Plus, covering up odors with a stronger
scent might backfire if the buyer doesn't like the smell of lavender or artificial
citrus. Remember to take out your garbage every day while the house is on the
market and if you have a garbage disposal, run it with some lemon to deodorize.
10. Clean, Clean, Clean
Once you are done cleaning your house, clean
some more. When selling your home, it is so important to keep everything tidy and
clean for buyers, and you never know when a buyer is going to want to schedule
a last-minute tour. Remember to take special care with the bathroom, making
sure the tile, counters, shower, and floors shine. And, don’t forget the
windows! It is okay to call in the professionals like a cleaning service,
carpet shampoo company, etc. There is no shame in outsourcing. We are all busy.
11. Hide Valuables
From art to jewelry, keep your treasures are
out of sight. Unfortunately, we cannot trust everyone who comes into your house.
Hide your valuables or move them to a safe space away from your home.
12. Consider Staging
Although staging is optional, it really
shouldn't be. Relative to the amount of time and money involved, staging
may be one of the most lucrative projects you ever undertake. Potential
buyers are not just looking for a structure to inhabit – they're looking to
fulfill their dreams and improve their lifestyles. Staging helps sell those
dreams and creates a more emotional purchase that can generate more money for
the seller. While there are plenty of room-specific staging tips, if you're on
a limited budget, it's best to focus on big-picture improvements and on the
areas that will make the biggest difference in your home's selling price. We
will gladly walk through your house with you and provide you with a detailed
list of suggestions.