You’re ready to list your house. Before you have the pictures of your home taken, here are some improvements that will benefit you greatly and gain a great return.
Cleaning and de-cluttering your house
Cleaning and de-cluttering continues to be the number one essential when you list your house. What does that mean, what does that entail? De-cluttering can be a huge task for many. The best way to approach it is to begin packing. While packing, begin organizing and getting rid of things you no longer need. In the long run, it will save you time, and possibly money.
Use this simple system to begin to de-clutter. Get three boxes, one for items that will be moved to your new home, a bigger one that will be tossed with all the items you no longer need, and the smallest of the boxes will be one that you move but holds your sentimental value (like the first car keys you ever had.) Buyers look everywhere, an organized home shows a well cared for home. It will also make it easier for you when you have to have it ready in a snap because a realtor has a showing.
Clean every surface of the house. If it can not be cleaned replace.
Lightening and brightening your house
When you list your house buyers love a light and bright home. This involves washing windows, updating light fixtures. Consider putting brighter bulbs in all the lights. Look at the colors of your rooms, are they light neutral colors? If not consider a fresh coat of paint. Remember paint is as personal as the pictures you hang on the walls. Get things up off the floor, and outdated curtains off the windows. Now is the time to make your home bright, and airy feeling.
Home Staging
Staging helps with marketing the listing of your house. A well-presented house is a magnet for buyers. Consider the placement of the furniture, the flow of the room. Look at the contents in the home, what message are they conveying to buyers? As a homeowner, you need to be objective. A lived-in look is not what buyers want.
Update pieces of furniture if needed or consider rentals. Refresh the look of bedrooms with new bedding and fresh accent pillows. These are items that you can move with you, so enjoy the indulgence of the update. If you do not know where to begin, it is well worth the money to have a professional home stager do a consultation with you to outline what needs to be done. If you do not have the time in your schedule, enlist the professionals to do it for you. Your house is one of your bigger investments, protect your equity by preparing your home to sell quickly.
Landscape around your house and do any repairs
Also known as curb appeal. If you cannot grab the buyer within 10 seconds from the outside, which is all the time you have, they will walk away. The landscaping is the first impression that buyers receive when approaching a house. Make sure yours is appealing. When it comes to repairs, don’t expect buyers will replace or fix repairs in your home, they will most likely walk away to find a home that is kept up.
Your expectation to sell your home quickly will be accomplished if you concentrate on the top 5 improvements where they are needed in your home. Realize your home is now a house that is a commodity that needs to be sold. Make sure you take the best steps to ensure it’s sale. If you have concentrated in these area’s your sure to be on your way to a profitable sale!
Other Good Reads:
Organizing | Systems to Use
Cleaning Secrets when Selling
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