If you haven't heard, it is a seller's market right now, which means if you've been thinking of downsizing your home, now is the time to do it. Buyers are lining up to purchase homes, and we have some tips on how to get your home ready for sale.
Tip #1 - Scrub a dub dub!
You're going to have many people coming in and out of your home, which means you'll want to make sure everything is presentable. Deep cleaning your house will be the cheapest thing you can do to encourage a buyer to consider your home. Start with one room at a time to make the process more manageable. Focus on the main areas of the house like the living room, kitchen, bathrooms and main bedroom. These will be the best places to focus your energy on, as those are often the things that are viewed the most.
Remember to clean the carpets, windows, walls, doors, baseboards and light fixtures. These are amongst the many surfaces that most sellers neglect and can turn off a potential buyer as soon as they walk in the door. The more work they foresee themselves doing, the less interested they will be in the house.
Tip #2 - Light it up!
Believe it or not, lighting is a big factor in dictating the entire feel of the home. Ensuring that every light bulb works and is matching all the other light bulbs in a particular space will be more pleasing to the viewer's eye. Typically, home staging experts recommend using warmer shades of 2500-2700 Kelvin. Another great way to elevate your home is to update any dated light fixtures. Switching to more modern light fixtures can give the illusion of higher value, even if other areas of your home have not been updated.
Tip #3 - Clear out the clutter!
Staging a home for a buyer doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Just like deep cleaning, minimizing clutter can help a buyer see themselves living in the home. You don't want them focusing on all of your things. Instead, you want them envisioning their things in your space. We would suggest decluttering your closets, organizing your pantry and cabinets and hiding any cords that are tangled up anywhere. This will help your space look bigger and not distract from the value of your home.
Tip #4 - No pets allowed!
Don't trust that your beloved furry family member will make the same impact on your future buyer feel as they do on you. Pet hair, toys, dog bowls and any other damage your pet has made in your home could hurt your chances of selling. Be sure to remove all traces of animals in your home - even the scent of your animal - to enforce a clean space. A simple paint touch-up, floor wax, blanket wash and fresh-scented candle can do just the trick.
Tip # 5 - Love at first sight!
As important as the inside is to the buyer's final decision, their first impression of the home starts with the outside. According to 94% of agents, buyers will pay more for a house with great curb appeal. With a few couple enhancements to the outside of your house, you have a much higher chance of securing a buyer, even if the inside isn't 100% how they would like it.
Try sprucing up any plants you have around your house such as trees, bushes or flower gardens. Making these spick and span will make your home look more expensive and let the buyers know that you've taken care of the house. Adding some eye-catching items to the front of the home can also go a long way. From updated lights on the porch to a fresh coat of paint on the door to even nice outdoor furniture out on display will help buyers feel at home.
We hope these tips helped you prioritize your selling checklist and motivated you to hit the market while it's hot. Your friends at Telhio Credit Union have your back as you start this new journey. Whether you need a home equity loan to get those improvements started or are looking to finance a new mortgage, visit https://www.telhio.org/services/loans-credit or call 614-221-3233.
