Selling your home requires a Realtor with a proven track record who really knows your neighborhood who can provide a solid marketing plan and is experienced in communications, sales and negotiations. If you want top dollar for your home, it also requires the seller to prepare to put their home on the market to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time.
Clean. It’s important to declutter as much as possible and give rooms a more spacious feel. Remove furniture if necessary. Clean out and organize your closets. And clean, clean, clean the kitchen, baths, windows…
Repair. Just may have gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators, but most buyers prefer move in ready. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, think about getting them done—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers notice the details. So be sure to fix any sticky doors, make sure bath grout is clean and caulked, Finally, don’t forget to address any issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all, without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside.
Neutralize. You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has heavy carpeting, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. Try replacing any bold color choices in your floors and walls with something more neutral—greys, beiges, blues and whites. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all the possibilities.
Stage. Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to add small details and décor touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home could use some updating. Done right, buyers will pay more for the home.
