Are you planning to sell your home? A handful of smart projects can attract the attention of potential buyers. Here are some ideas for setting yourself up for a speedy and successful selling experience.
Tidy Up Your “Stuff”
Before listing your house for sale, you should completely declutter it. That means going through every room and reducing the contents, including the knick-knacks and decor items that personalize your space. After all, the house is for sale, and you don’t want home shoppers to feel like they are in someone else’s house -- you want them to envision living there themselves. As the Chicago Tribune points out, it’s a great opportunity to do some preliminary packing. Throw out or give away items you don’t intend to keep and box up as much as possible. Pay particular attention to areas such as kitchen countertops, tables, and other horizontal surfaces where items tend to collect. Also, as some experts note, the more spacious your home appears, the better. Piling boxes throughout the house, even in closets or other storage areas, can make it appear there is insufficient space. You can rent a storage unit or stow items in a friend’s garage while your home is for sale if necessary.
Deep Clean Throughout
One of the most important ways to prepare your home for a quick sale is by giving it a deep and thorough cleaning. Everything should shine in your home, from top to bottom. Forbes suggests installing new plates on light switches and polishing your door handles and other hardware to make surfaces gleam. Also, wipe down walls, clean shower grime, make your windows sparkle, and shampoo your carpet. If your carpeting is worn or stained,The Denver Post recommends investing in new carpet, as it can be a deal-breaker for many buyers. What’s more, new carpet will make the home look fresh and up-to-date.
Right before each showing, tidy up. Frequent vacuuming may inspire a cordless vacuum purchase for convenience: it’s extremely handy because there isn’t a cord to trip over, storage is a snap, and you can save time since you don’t need to plug it in from room to room, or floor to floor. There are many great cordless vacuums on the market, so read some online reviews and make note of the pros and cons of each before buying.
Rearrange for Flow and Space
Making your home appear more spacious can be perplexing, but there is an easy trick any homeowner can use: Simply pull your furniture into conversational groupings, away from the walls. As Dave Ramsey explains, orienting sitting areas so furniture accommodates a comfortable traffic flow helps homebuyers feel at ease in the space and makes rooms look larger. If you normally have the sofa and chairs spread apart for your kids to play on the floor or arranged for optimal TV-watching, switch it up for your showings.
Curb Appeal Is a Must
Improving your home’s exterior is a key to attracting prospective homebuyers. Some professionals recommend stepping across the street from your home to view it objectively. Try to examine the property with the mindset of someone who is house hunting. Look for any maintenance concerns that make your home appear neglected, such as loose or full gutters, dirty siding, or faded and peeling trim. Address any repair or maintenance issues right away. Also, look at your how your house fits with the neighborhood, and turn a critical eye toward your landscaping. Your home should appear clean, attractive, and well-kept. Tidy up the shrubbery, eliminate weeds, clean up the patio and deck, manicure your lawn, and pay attention to your home’s entrance. Give the door a fresh coat of paint, install new hardware, replace your welcome mat with a new one, and plant some blooming flowers to welcome home buyers.
Quick Sale Incoming!
Simple projects can mean an attractive presentation when selling your home. With a more desirable appearance, you can draw the attention of prospective buyers. A fast and successful selling experience can be yours!
Author
Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. While her goal always includes making homes look beautiful, her true focus is on fashioning them into serene, stress-free environments that inspire tranquility in all who enter. TheUltimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up for success.