Are you thinking about selling your home? Buyers are looking for the perfect home. What can you do to make your home stand out? Selling a home takes more work than just putting a "For Sale" sign in the yard. It takes prep work! The following is a home selling checklist to help guide you in selling your home:
1. Curb appeal- Buyers see the outside of your home first so you want to make a good impression. Investing in the landscaping by adding annuals for color, pruning existing shrubs, mulching and edging the beds goes a long ways. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the front door makes the home inviting. If you need advice on how to improve your curb appeal, ask your local realtor.
2. Declutter your home- Buyers do not want to see clutter or boxes sitting everywhere. Clean off all counters, end tables, kitchen tables and any areas that would visually appear the buyer from seeing the space. Clean out closets by minimizing clothing, shoes and any material objects. Just remember, buyers will be looking everywhere. Rent a storage unit at a local storage facility, if needed. Remember, less is more!
3. Take down all family Pictures & personal items- Buyers want to be able to see themselves and their family in your home. Sellers should remove family pictures or any items that would distract a buyer. Your goal is to help the buyer to visualize themselves in your home by creating a blank canvas. The buyers need to be able to paint a new new picture.
4. Paint the walls in neutral hues- Light colors help buyers visualize the walls and how they would like the home to look with the colors they prefer.
5. Touch up scuff marks- baseboards, walls, and doors need to be cleaned and touched up with paint. Some areas do not call for a complete painting. Buyer's are looking for homes that don't have a lot of problems and things to fix. Impress the buyer by fixing up your home before listing. A home that is move in ready will have more interest and offers.
6. Add Green Plants, flowers or a bowl of fruit- Living and natural elements help add life to the décor.
7. Get rid of Foul Odors- I was just in a home that had wet dog smell in every room. Also, make sure there is no cooking odors lingering in the kitchen. Have a neighbor come over and see if they smell anything foul and then get rid of it. If the smell is in the carpet, its a good idea to install new carpet.
8. Replace all missing or blown light bulbs and any loose or missing handles on cabinets. You don't want the buyer to think there is more broken in your home since you haven't even fixed the simple things.
9. Keep your treasures locked up- jewelry and art need to be stored away or locked up. I also think medications should be put in a safe place so they won't disappear.
10. Clean and keep things tidy while showing your home- make sure all bathrooms are clean and shampoos, soap, etc. all put under the counter. Make sure the kitchen has no clutter and the counters are wiped down.
11. Stage your home with a professional. New furnishings and décor help spruce up a blasé home.
12. Hire a great real estate agent- do some research to find a real estate agent who is diverse in the local market, interview tham and see if they are a good fit. Your real estate agent should be someone whom you know and trust.
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