The average homeowner who has lived in their house for a few years may not know the best way to present it to buyers because it is hard for them to imagine things in a different order, but here are some tips to get you moving in the right direction:
1. Declutter Your House
In some houses it is easy to see where you can remove a few items, in others it may not be so easy. Removing some unnecessary items and arranging your necessary household items and furniture in a way that is more conducive to the flow of the home (think Feng Shui) could be one of the most important things you can do to improve the showings on your property.
2. Replace those light bulbs & Increase your Natural Lighting
Old, dingy looking light bulbs (or missing/burnt out light bulbs) can make a home look dark or dated. By replacing with some brighter bulbs or fluorescent bulbs, you can really open lighting up to the potential buyer. While I know you don’t like the glare of the sun on your TV, it is important to open those blinds and let some natural lighting show through. This will make the home feel more inviting and open.
3. Get your Projects out of the way!
Unless you are looking to give away your house, it is time to knock out that “honey-do” list. Remember that baseboard that is missing in the hallway? What about that hole in the wall where your teenager slammed the door open too far? Minor tasks that you can repair for pennies could cost you thousands on your bottom line and could also cost you a lot of time on the market. Make the repairs that you would not want to have to do when buying a new home. Even items that you consider to be minor could cost you big $$ in time and in your offer.
4. Stage to show
When your house is on the market, you have to have it show-ready almost all the time because you never know when you will get a call from another Realtor® who wants to show it because they are “in the neighborhood”. Making sure that your home has a nice flow to it is important. Your furniture should be laid out in a way that people can almost instinctively walk through the home. When someone walks through the front door, they should first be drawn to the kitchen, then to any special feature rooms, followed by bedrooms, and then back to the kitchen. Light furniture, well placed plants or floral arrangements are always a plus, and something that adds a pleasant aroma (avoid candles and incense unless they are non-alergenic such as soy candles. If you have carpet, a light deodorizer may do the trick (make sure you hit the closets too). Other items that may work are Febreeze or similar fabric spray, floral scents (honey suckle is great) or sweet food smells (cookies are almost always a sure winner).
At Tech Realty®, we know how to get the best results at showing homes – call us or email and we will gladly help you set your up to sell!
