10 Tips For Selling Your Home

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I thought this month would be a great time to talk real estate. I have ten great tips that I want to share with you on how to sell your house faster – even if you’re just listing or already on the market! These tips are all about de-cluttering and staging to help you maximize the value of your house in a buyers market. My husband and I have been passionate about real estate since early on in our marriage. We have bought and sold homes, currently own rental property, and have sons in real estate – so we have learned a thing or two! Let’s get started.

1. Make a good first impression.

Spruce up the curb appeal by getting rid of lawn and yard toys, hoses and tools. Mow the grass and trim the overgrown bushes, flowers, weeds and trees.

2. Look inviting.

Create an inviting entryway. Clean and perhaps re-paint your front door. De-clutter your entryway of any shoes, bags, coats, etc. Empty the closets as much as possible. This makes the home’s  closets seem more spacious so buyers see the storage potential, not your stuff. To increase your storage a hall bench, table, or coatrack work great.

3. De-personalize.

Remove all family photos, awards, and trophies from around your home. These are dust collectors and also look cluttered. By removing them, a potential buyer will have an easier time imagining themselves in the space.

4. Go vertical.

If you have tall ceilings or limited square footage, don’t be afraid to go vertical. Tall bookshelves, armoires, and floating shelves create extra storage without taking up valuable floor space. Armoires are great because the doors close to hide a television or home office.

5. Storage.

Evaluate and pre-pack anything that you can live without until you move. Be sure to get anything that is on an open shelf, counters and tabletops. If you can, store these things off-site until you move.

6. Deep clean.

Do a deep cleaning before listing your home. You may not notice that pesky cob-web on the light fixture, but a buyer will! Maintain the cleaning so the house is ready to show.

7. Garage.

Get rid of those old paint cans, potting mixes, sporting goods, broken furniture and anything else that may have wandered out there. Then organize your stuff. Costco has great metal shelving on wheels at an affordable price to organize your things. Don’t skip the cleaning out here either!

8. Minor maintenance.

Have you been meaning to caulk around that trim? Fix a cupboard door? Touch up the paint? Don’t wait! Make a list of minor repairs and get them done. Don’t have time? Hire a professional to do it for you.

9. Home-staging.

Two things to think about – flow and function. First, how do people move around in the space? Is your furniture in odd places or too big? Pare down your furniture and re-arrange to make it more inviting. Second, what is the space meant to be use for? Remove anything that doesn’t serve that function. To complete the staging, you want well rounded decor. Start from the ground up: carpet/rug, main pieces, accent decor, wall hangings and lighting. Now a buyer can easily move around and get a feel for the space.

10. Get away.

Go do something fun with your family while a realtor is showing your home. Take the time to relax and play!

We do offer our services for clients and realtors. We would be happy to consult with you on how to stage your home and plan your next move! Contact us today to learn more.

Happy Selling!