When selling your home, the most important thing I tell my sellers is to step out of your own shoes when looking at your home and step into the buyers shoes. Take a good look at your home and property and ask yourself if it’s appealing to a buyer.
Most buyers are interested in these three things when thinking about a property to buy:
1) Safety: Is this home safe for their family and pets? Are there locks on the appropriate doors (front door, garage), are there fire and carbon monoxide alarms, and what is the neighborhood like? Check each window throughout the home to be sure that there are locks on each one, and that they open and close properly.
2) Maintenance: Is everything working correctly in the home? Does the garage door(s) go up and down? Is there anything that needs repairing? Do any walls need to be repainted?
3) Appearance: Is the home clean, and clear of clutter? Is there too much color, or not enough? Does the landscaping need to be done?
Here are a few tips to help you see your home and decide what to fix first:
– Fix what you can see. Make the necessary cosmetic changes. Start from the outside (the front yard, then backyard) before moving into the house.
– Remove the clutter from each room, beginning with the family room, living room, then moving into the bedrooms, bathrooms, and finally the kitchen. If you use a bedroom for storage only, consider making the room more functional by giving it an office feeling instead of boxes stacked against the wall.
– Replace faucets and towel racks in the bathrooms, and be sure that they are spotless and fresh-smelling. In the kitchen, remove appliances from the counter tops and store them in the garage. Repair any cracked counters as well.
– A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to the appearance of a home. Always use neutral, warm and soft colors. Try to avoid wallpaper if you can.
Seeing a new home is the first impression for a buyer. They’ve never seen your home before. Be sure that the impression you’re offering to them is a good, long-lasting one. Make sure that you give your home a good hard look from the outside in. If the buyer can’t form a good mental picture of living in your home, they won’t be eager to buy it.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask me for guidance. My team and I are here to help you anyway we can!
Your Local Agent,
STEPHEN NISSOU
