Your home is more than bricks and mortar; it’s a living, breathing storehouse of memories and emotions.
It’s where your now ten-year-old took his first steps, where you unearthed your passion for interior design, and where your teenager nervously introduced his prom date.
It would be unusual for you not to feel a touch of anxiety when it sinks in that, at some point, you will no longer walk through the doors of the place you’ve called home for years.
Whatever the reasons for your home sale; upsizing, downsizing, moving out of state, or out of country, there are some things you can do to make the transition easier and perhaps even boost your home’s value and appeal to prospective buyers.
The following tips can help you showcase your property’s features and benefits in the best light so that future homeowners will love it as much as you do!
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Want a nearly instant makeover? Decluttering can get you there.
Yes, you’re probably already aware that removing clutter can help with your home sale, but don’t discount it…there’s a reason why it’s important.
Why Declutter
Clearing out the excess things in your home will make your space look bigger and more open. It will also help potential buyers visualize themselves and their stuff in the space, tugging on their emotions and moving them closer to making an offer.
Remove your personal items
As you declutter, remove anything that might interfere with the theater of your potential buyer’s mind as they imagine themselves living in your home.
So this means you’ll want to pack up items like:
- ⬥ personal photos
- ⬥ unique artwork
- ⬥ collectibles
You want it to be beautiful and look modern…similar to what a showroom might look like.
2. Deep Clean
Once the clutter has been cleared, you’ll find it much easier to do a deep clean and spruce up your home!
Cleaning Checklist
In addition to the standard cleaning you’re already doing, dig in and tackle the following areas that are often forgotten:
- ⬥ Baseboards and crown molding
- ⬥ Window sills and tracks
- ⬥ Light fixtures and ceiling fans
- ⬥ Inside kitchen appliances
- ⬥ Grout lines in tiles
- ⬥ Carpets and rugs (consider professional cleaning)
If it’s in the budget, hire professionals to help. They’ve got the tools and the know-how to get your place sparkling fast, and they’re well worth the investment when it comes to impressing potential buyers.
3. Minor Repairs and Upgrades
Got a dripping faucet? You’ve probably gotten used to it, but prospective buyers will not feel the same way. Now is the right time to finally get those niggling little things taken care of.
We’re talking about things like:
- ⬥ Running toilets and leaky faucets
- ⬥ Holes in walls (who hasn’t had a little slam a doorknob into the wall?)
- ⬥ Cracked tiles
- ⬥ Missing grout
- ⬥ Loose doorknobs and squeaky doors
- ⬥ Holey (or missing) window screens. Yikes!
Upgrades That Are Worth It
These upgrades can dial up the appeal of your home a notch or two…
- ⬥ Modern, stylish hardware on cabinets and doors
- ⬥ Updated light fixtures
- ⬥ A fresh coat of neutral paint on walls
- ⬥ New switch plates and outlet covers
- ⬥ Freshened up landscaping (including new mulch and plants)
4. Stage Your Home
You don’t need a “show home” to make staging worth the investment. However, staging can make a significant difference in the speed of your home sale.
Why stage your home?
Done right, staging will showcase the best features of your home. It will also engage their imaginations as they envision living in the space.
Just like decluttering, staging your home can make rooms feel bigger and brighter, creating a space that invites them to stay.
DIY Staging Tips
If you opt to DIY the home staging process, consider these tips:
- ⬥ Rearrange furniture to create open, inviting spaces
- ⬥ Use neutral bedding and towels for a fresh, clean look
- ⬥ Add bits of color with throw pillows or artwork
- ⬥ Bring in natural elements like potted plants or a bowl of fresh fruit
- ⬥ Ensure each room has a clear purpose to help buyers envision how they’d use the space
5. Curb Appeal Matters
Remember what appealed to you when you bought the home…you know that there is power in a good first impression because it affected you!
Obviously, potential buyers will see your home’s exterior first when they come to visit. If it’s appealing, that will set the tone for what they see when they step inside.
Quick Fixes
Improving your home’s curb appeal doesn’t require expert help; you’ve probably already been doing much of it by simply maintaining your home.
Things such as:
- ⬥ Mowing the lawn and trimming bushes and trees
- ⬥ Planting colorful flowers in beds or pots
- ⬥ Painting or cleaning the front door
- ⬥ Pressure washing the driveway and walkways
- ⬥ Ensuring exterior lights are working and clean
- ⬥ Adding a new welcome mat and some potted plants by the entrance
While preparing your home for sale might seem like a lot of work—and it is—it’s worth it; you’re setting the stage for a quicker sale at a better price.
You want potential buyers to fall in love with your home…just like you did!
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