Preparing your Home for Sale
It is really important to take action on prior to going on the market. And, it is a big part of our pricing strategy. What you are willing to do and not do will be a determining factor on where we price the home. Prior to going on the market there are a number of factors we need to discuss that are vital to the successful sale of your home. When it comes down to it we want any potential buyer to be able to see themselves in your home and “making it their own” The more we can create the feel of a Model Home the more the home will sell for. Buyers respond to the fantasy of a perfect life in the perfect home where everything is perfectly neat, clean and orderly without any clutter or visual distractions.
Making a first impression is absolutely critical. We want to confirm that your property is “The Best in Show.” When people see your house, both online and in person, we want there to be a HUGE WOW FACTOR, especially since we don’t get a second chance at this.
And what it comes down to is that the house you live in is very different from the house you take to the market for sale. So, with your permission, let’s walk though your home, room by room and evaluate how to best prepare your home. Please be open to suggestions. This isn’t by any means me being critical. Having done this enough times, I know what people are looking for and attracted to go see.
Some of the things we may discuss are
Cleaning: this includes both the inside and outside of the property. A clean property is a welcoming place.
Editing/Decluttering: Many times this requires what I call “editing” the house. Depersonalizing things by removing family photos or specific ornaments that are just special to you . A book shelf is also a good place to start. If every shelf is full, take two thirds of the books out. You’re moving anyways, start packing. Less is more in a situation like this.
Repairs: You know your house better than anyone. Are there things you know you need to do or should have done? Is the sink dripping? Does a plug in the bathroom need to be switched out? Look at it with a critical eye and get the work done prior to an inspection where it is called out. When there is something like a stain in the ceiling it leads a buyer to wonder if there has been or is a leak in the roof. If you can see the stain, one may ask themselves, what else could be a problem? Handle things prior to going on the market.
Home improvements & Upgrades: We need to address if there are bold colors and are you willing to paint in neutral and soothing colors? Add color and pop with the pillows or throws not with something like a red dining room. This part of getting your home for sale needs to be taken into consideration if the house is dated. There are so many changes that can be made that will make a world of difference. Has the carpet been there for 25 years? Would a new flooring material make the home look newer and more inviting? From big details to small, it all counts. New pulls and handles for the kitchen or closets. Remove the kid decals from the walls. Replace the loose tile.
Curb Appeal: if you were to drive by, what are your thoughts? Darling? Excited to get inside and see more? How do you make that happen? Go to extra efforts. Not only does the walkway and yard need to be maintained, plant new flowers with color. Get a new doormat that is welcoming. Take the screens off and wash the windows. Keep the screens in the garage but they don’t show well in photos. Attention to detail makes a difference. Remove the hoses. Again, this suggests someone may have to do a chore.
Staging: Let’s talk about staging. All the TV shows have made this a streamline idea. I work with an expert stager who can come in and do a comprehensive evaluation of your home. This can be anything from using what you have and enhancing it or removing everything and starting from a clean slate. Are you open to this? We have found that staged homes bring in upwards of 5% more on a sale than ones that don’t go to this effort.
Inspections: Now let’s talk about Pre-Market inspections~ The one I recommend the most, especially because we live by the ocean, is a Termite or Pest inspection. The reality is, almost all properties have termites. Let's find out to what extreme. This will be part of the negotiation process that happens later. It’s better to be educated on the expense you’re negotiating. Depending on your property, there may need to be other inspections as well:
All of these efforts need to be made prior to bringing in a professional photographer. You want each photo and the video to really pop and get people’s attention in the most positive of ways. The majority of all potential buyers will have taken a virtual tour of your property prior to ever coming to see the house. Make sure it shines.
One of the advantages of working with a realtor that has so much experience is that I also have a lot of resources for all kinds of people to help. Once a listing agreement is signed and we have committed to working together, I can help facilitate all of these fixes, upgrades, and repairs.