1 – Check your curb appeal. The first image a potential buyer will see of your home is the front, whether they are scrolling through listings online or driving by and see a For Sale sign. It is essential to put your best foot forward. Look for any small imperfections and address those first; like peeling paint, overgrown shrubs, or clutter. Then look for ways to “gently” standout, but don’t go overboard. Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door, restrain the front stairs, freshen up the paint on the shutters, plant a flower garden or some simple potted plants with color, mow, edge & trim, and replace that old welcome mat. First impressions are everything and, whether online or in person, this determines whether a potential buyer will come in or keep scrolling.
2 – Update/Fix. Go through your home (consider asking a family member or friend to help) and look for things that standout as being outdated or in poor shape. No need to get carried away and try to fix everything that is less than perfect, but look for things that take your attention away from the space itself. Maybe it’s outdated flooring or countertops, a hole in the drywall, or that railing that is barely hanging on. Don’t give the potential buyer a “to-do” list before they even make an offer on your home. Double check the interior as well as the exterior of your home and look for items that may turn people off before they even give your home a chance.
3 – Minimize + organize. This may not sound like it can add value to your home, but a clean, organized, and fresh home will attract more buyers more quickly and that means more money. Start with the entryway and end in the garage, but make sure everything in-between is tidy and organized. Are there too many chairs in a given room? Are the counters/tables simplified? Is there clutter that takes your attention away from the space itself? Organize the closets and drawers as best you can. You may not think this is useful, but the more obsessively clean you can appear the better – we would all love to buy the home that was owned by the super clean guy. And don’t forget the yard, the shed, and the garage. Yes, the garage can have some boxes and “moving clutter” but the simpler the better. As a general rule of thumb – get rid of what you don’t need, stash away what you can, and organize the rest.
4 – Have an agent come out to your home. Part of what our team does during every listing presentation is give you a list of items that could be done to improve your home’s marketability and value. Not a list of all of your home’s problems, but a list of things that are specific to your home and will help your home sell quickly and for top dollar. The best way to find out exactly what to do to get the most money for your home is to have an agent come out, walk the property and provide feedback on ways to boost your home’s value. We have a Team of experienced agents who would love to help! Give us a call at 541-312-5449.