I've seen the market at it's very best, at it's worst and at times in between, I know how you can run the gamut from happy to sad and from relaxed to stressed in a split second. In today's changing market, I know how difficult it can be to list your property and get it sold. As your Real Estate Agent, I'm dedicating today's blog to helping you, the seller, get fair market value for your home and get it sold in a timely fashion.
You have to set your house apart from others on the market, especially in your area. The first thing the buyer sees is the outside, and curb appeal is as important to a potential buyer as the house itself. Make sure that your house isn't hidden by large trees or bushes and make sure that your grass is cut or your driveway and sidewalk are shoveled. You want to make sure that your house gets the attention of a potential buyer and makes them want to enter your house. So if you have a little garden in the front, plant some flowers or add a few potted, or hanging plants, but not too many, just enough for colour. If you have garden gnomes or lawn friends, it might be best to put those away for the time being because you don't want to turn away potential buyers if their tastes don't agree with yours.
Also, you will want the curtains in your front window to be wide open, this is inviting and makes people want to come inside. While you are at it, you should open all curtains/blinds in your home and turn on all the lights. YES all of the lights, it's only for a couple of hours and it really does make a difference on how your home is perceived by others. And the natural light is a great way to showcase the inside.
The most important thing to remember is that you think of it as someone else's home, it's not yours anymore and you want to take away the really personable items, like knick knacks and maybe even some of the furniture. The potential buyer wants to be able to walk into the room and picture their furnishings there and they can't do that if the room is cluttered with items that have no interest to them. Make sure that all of the rooms in the house are clutter free and have just the right amount of furniture for the size of the room. For example, a bedroom might have a twin size bed a dresser and a night table if the space allows, if not, a bed and dresser are sufficient. If the room allows for a double bed, you should put a double bed, if it allows for a queen, put in a queen. You don't want the potential buyer to try and "guess" if their furniture will fit into the room, give them the answers that they don't have to ask for.
A comfortable living room should have a couch and a couple of chairs and a television, possible a coffee table or ottoman, but not too much else because you want them to be able to see their outfit in that space.
You will also want to have flow throughout the house as far as paint colours are concerned. If your current paint colours are bright or not very balanced, it would be a wise investment to purchase a few gallons of some neutral tones such as beige or off white and give the walls a fresh coat. You would be surprised at how far a little paint will get you!! Also, the less work a potential buyer has to do to move it, the more likely they will be to put in an offer.
Make sure that your bathroom fixtures are updated and that your shower curtain or shower doors are open so there is nothing to hide. Set out a few candles or nice smelling pot pourri and make it an inviting space to want to "spa" in. In your kitchen, nothing smells better than fresh baked bread, and although we all don't have time to bake a loaf of bread before a viewing, air fresheners have sure come a long way in a few years.... Your kitchen and your bathroom will sell your house. You definitely want an updated and modern kitchen that is freshly painted, with lots of cabinet space and counter space with NO clutter. Even if you have your toaster, coffee maker, blender and toaster oven on the counter--trust me, put it away somewhere. The potential buyer will want to see a nice clean open counter space where he or she can prepare the meals and not feel crowded in any way.
Finally your backyard. If you have a backyard, you will definitely want it to have that maintained look. You don't want to turn away a potential buyer by having a backyard that looks like a field or looks like it is high maintenance. Cut the grass, make sure the shrubs are cut back and the trees are trimmed, make sure that toys are all put away and put out some patio furniture and a bbq so the potential buyer can picture themselves having an outdoor get together in their new home.
It may cost a few extra dollars and some elbow grease, but it will pay off in the end.