What can I do to make my house sell?

What can I do to make my house sell?

There are many things that can be done to help your house sell. Having made the decision to sell, you really want it to be quick and at the best price possible.

We have compiled a list of items that you may like to consider doing. These will all help significantly in selling your house, yet many of them are exceptionally low cost.

Real estate professionals know that you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.

"Curb appeal" is what it's all about… and you should begin with the first impression a potential buyer will have when he arrives to look at your home.

Start with the yard.

The first thing that greets potential buyers is the front of your home. To make a good impression, it is essential that the street outlook is very appealing. Prune trees and shrubs, making sure there are no branches near the roofline or outer doors of your home. Mow the lawns and plant flowers for color. Fill any bare spots in your garden with high foliage plants. A pleasant garden approach to your front door will generate the right feelings of comfort in the minds of potential purchasers. Keep the front yard clean and tidy and well maintained during the entire period the house is listed. You never know when a potential buyer will drive by to “have a look”.

Do a complete examination of the external house and fences/walls etc.

Walk around the outside of your house and fix, repair or replace anything that is not right. Pay attention to screens, loose shutters, and fence boards, fading paint or anything else that doesn’t look wonderful. If you can’t fix or replace something, get rid of it. A window with no screen looks better than a window with a torn screen.

It is better to fix things before a potential buyer sees the home, offers a low price and then demands that all these things be fixed.

Paint the outside of the house.

Fresh paint is the lowest cost and most dramatic improvement in the value of your home. By repainting exterior trim and keeping the exterior spic and span, potential purchasers will assume that the house has been well maintained and will be less likely to worry about what else could be wrong.

Get rid of the clutter.

We all have it… in the garage, on the patio or in the basement or attic. Maybe even in kitchen cupboards or bedroom closets.

Whatever you don’t need, get rid of it. Have a garage sale, donate it to charity or put it in a storage area. It doesn’t matter what you do with it, but get it out. Clutter makes your home look smaller.

Examine your carpets and floor coverings closely.

Potential buyers will notice worn or torn carpeting immediately. Even stains on the carpet will be noticed. Examine your floor coverings and consider getting them professionally cleaned. Consider replacing any badly worn areas, or even making them less noticeable by using area rugs or runners.

Check interior walls and doors.

Faded walls, marks on walls, and worn woodwork all reduce appeal to potential buyers. Get out your paintbrush and touch up the paint where necessary. Polish that woodwork, and make your house as appealing as possible.

Bathroom wonders.

One of the major disappointments to potential buyers is bathrooms. Avoid this by cleaning your bathroom, kitchen and laundry meticulously. Make sure faucets don’t leak, sinks are not stained and repair caulking in showers and tubs. Counters in bathrooms and kitchens should be spotless. Clean mirrors will also make the room feel bigger and lighter.

Furnishings.

Go through your house with a critical eye on how it looks with the current furnishings. If it looks cluttered, take out some furniture. If drapes are faded or dirty, clean or replace them. Make sure your house is dust free and feels clean.

I am sure there are many other areas that you can think of that can impact a buyers view of your home. Put yourself in the buyers shoes, and critically examine your home from top to bottom. A few dollars spent on simple things and a few hours work can be a huge difference in selling your home quickly and at the best price.

Of course, there is always the open house to consider too. Click here for some tips and tricks to make your open house or inspection a much better experience for the buyer.

For more ideas and suggestions, please just give us a call or send us an email. We are always happy to help you get the most for... and make the most of...your home.