As we all know the real estate market has been relatively slow for the past year or so especially when comparing to the housing bubble of the early to mid-2000's. The homes that are selling fast these days are A.) priced right, and B.) in immaculate condition. Here are some tips to getting your house in tip top shape to hopefully get your home sold in under 90 days:
1.) The Basics - As the saying goes, "You never have a second chance to make a first impression!" This could not be any truer! The first few things a buyer sees when they pull up to your house is the front yard and entrance. Make sure your yard is spotless - rake, weed, add some new flowers, whether in the garden or in hanging baskets on the front porch, etc. Also, give the front door and fresh coat if paint if needed and replace the house numbers, mailbox and outside light if needed. If not, at least make sure they are all clean.
2.) Clean the Windows - Consider having them professionally cleaned or to save money you could do them yourself with Windex and wipe off with newspapers to avoid streaks - they work great! Also, remove dated window treatments unless they are wooden blinds or Plantation shutters. But make sure those blinds are open if you've got a view - a stunning view is a huge selling point!
3.) Clean & Declutter - If you want your home to sell fast, clean everything! This means you might have to get up on a chair or ladder to clean hard to reach spots like chandeliers, ceiling fan and shelves. Also wipe down any grimy light switch plates and keep your bathroom mirrors spotless. Have your carpets professionally cleaned as well and if that's not enough, just have them replaced. Don't forget to clean out your closets, guest room, and garage too! This spots are notorious for collecting random junk. Have a yard sale or donate unwanted or unneeded household items - minimize your belongings - it will make your future move a lot easier too! Also make sure your kitchen is spotless and the counters are bare - remove unnecessary appliances and gadgets, including toasters and coffeemakers.
4.) Depersonalize - If you remove most of your personal items from various rooms, prospective buyers can better visualize their personal belongings and decorations in the home. Remove knick-knacks, personal photos, collections, paperwork, etc.
5.) Paint - Use neutral colors that will appeal to more people. Again, it's all about making it easier for buyers to imagine your home as their new home.
6.) Staging - Home stagers have become part of an entourage to help real estate agents and seller get homes ready to be someone else's. That frequently means depersonalizing the home and making it "model home" neutral. This will appeal to more buyers.
7.) Check Out the Competition - Go online and check out some real estate websites - there are a ton of them! Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, etc. Look at photos of other homes for sale to get some ideas. These sites will also offer suggestions and questions to ask your agent .
Ultimately your goal is to give your home that WOW factor which will make your home stand out to prospective buyers and make them remember it. This along with a good price will give your home value, which is what today's buyers are looking for. For more information, advice from a seasoned real estate expert, or to set up a free home consultancy/market analysis of your home, give Geri Reilly a call! 802.862.6677
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