Get Ready to Sell: Expert Advice to Sell your House Faster and Maximize Value
So, you’re ready to sell. Whether you’re taking on the next milestone or you just need a change, there is a lot that you can do to make the transition easier and faster while also increasing the possibility of multiple offers on your home. Here are some easy to execute tips that real-life real estate professionals use to help sell your property.
Image: Colourful Paintbrushes
1. De-personalize.
While it is good to celebrate the wonderful memories created in your home, when inviting potential buyers to see the property it’s important to create a setting that allows them to envision themselves living in the space. This means putting away family photos, trophies, and cute little name plates by the front door. This might be a difficult process for some, but in the end your new home will be waiting for you to move in, hang those photos again, and begin creating new memories.
2. Lose the clutter.
When selling a house, it’s important to show the full potential and scale of a space. With lots of clutter and furniture this goal becomes very difficult to satisfy. Show off your home with pride and make your packing easier by removing junk in the corners and against the walls of your home and clearing off tables and countertops. You may also consider storing extra clothes to make closets look more spacious. Similarly, if you want to keep your grandmother’s heirloom chandelier or expensive window coverings, replace them with something you don’t mind leaving behind. If buyers don’t see it, they won’t ask for it. Following these tips will make it easier for prospective buyers to visualize their furniture and personal items in the space and increasing the chances of better offers.
3. Fix it.
Little is worse than settling into your lovely new home only to be faced with unexpected damages. Make sure taps are easy to turn and don’t leak, check for dampness in the basement, ensure windows and doors open and close easily, fix broken appliances and replace burned-out light bulbs. If you don’t fix the small stuff, buyers will assume it’s a sign that you haven’t taken care of your home, and the big stuff isn’t in good shape either.
Video: DIY Projects for First-Time Homeowners
4. Clean, clean, clean.
We’ve all heard about the old “bake cookies before an open house” strategy to improve perception of a home. It makes sense then that bad odors can act to scare potential buyers away from an otherwise perfect space too. To avoid bad smells, regularly open windows, use air fresheners, clean up after pets every day, use a dehumidifier, and avoid smoking indoors.
Show your house at its best with sparkling windows, spotless carpets and shining bathrooms. In bathrooms some good steps to consider taking including re-caulking tubs, bleaching dingy grout, and polishing faucets. Clean the kitchen from floor to ceiling, including walls, cabinets, and appliances; you’d be surprised by how much dirt and grease builds up over the years. Keep things show-ready by hiring a service to come in during the weeks until the house is sold or give every family member specific job to keep the house in tip-top shape for showings.
5. Stage it.
When looking at beautiful houses online some common characteristics you might notice are that the rooms look bright, spacious and coordinated. This can be achieved in your space too with a few simple touches: place fluffy pillows and a pretty comforters on neatly made beds, hang your nicest towels in the bathrooms; paint the main rooms in a fresh, neutral colour; put new hardware on outdated kitchen cabinets, wash your curtains or hang new ones, and arrange your furniture to maximize space.
Image: Bright Livingroom
6. Improve the curb appeal.
Cross the street and take a good look at your house, try to imagine what it would look like to someone who has never met you before. How does your house compare to your neighbors? What needs to be done to give it that “wow” factor? Things to consider include adding or improving the property’s landscaping: trim greenery, place flowers, and maintain the lawn. The experts also recommend refreshing the front door with new paint and hardware, renting a power washer to clean the exterior, and replacing damaged shingles or loose siding. Painting the house is also a good option – a few hundred dollars worth of paint could add thousands to your selling price.
7. Set a fair price.
It can be easy to get caught up in sentimental feelings when trying to set a price on your family home. But if you set your initial asking price too high and need to drop it your house will become “old news”, making it much harder to sell. This reinforces the value of hiring a sales representative you can trust, your Real Estate Agent will work with you to set a realistic asking price that will help your place sell quickly and help you maximize your investment.
Buyers like houses that are clean, well taken care of and up to date. Don’t break the bank on big fixes but remember that small improvements can make a big difference. You may have some work ahead of you, but every bit of “elbow grease” you put into your place will pay for itself.
Need help making your house sale-ready? Your Real Estate Agent knows what buyers want and can help you figure out exactly what needs to be done.