In the effort to get top dollar when selling your home, staging; or the art of showcasing your home is vital. But how to emphasize the selling points of a home while making sure that it is attractive to a wide selection of buyers? There are some basic steps that you can observe in order to give your home the showing that it deserves.
It is usually a good idea to try to disassociate yourself from your home. This may be a difficult thing to do but remember, your favorite aspects may not appeal to all buyers. Try to see your home as something that simply needs to be sold, much like any other product. Removing your precious photos and curios can help viewers to place themselves in your home. It is important that the prospective buyer can see themselves living in your home. Your home should be as warm and welcoming as possible. It should make people want to live there.
Now take a quick look through your home, is there a fair amount of unused things lying around? This is a great point to clean up any outstanding clutter and junk. During a showing your home should be clean and simple. A minimalist approach is good for it will allow viewers to visualize their own possessions in your home. Another good thing to remember is that buyers are likely going to open all closets and cupboards. Its a good idea to ensure that these areas are clear and organized. This will also speak highly of you as a homeowner.
Small repairs can make a world of difference. Cosmetic fixes can also raise the value of a home and increase your bargaining power. However do not rely on a cosmetic fix for a problem that requires a more permanent solution! Make sure that drawers and closets open and close smoothly and without a hitch. Ensure that faucets do not drip and that there are no water stains in the sinks and tubs. The more time you spend cleaning and detailing your home, the better it will show.
Do not forget the exterior of the home either. There are a variety of things that you can easily do to improve the curb appeal of your home. Ensuring that the yard is neat and tidy with mown lawns and clear walkways makes the home more inviting and more likely to grab a viewer's attention.
It is a good idea to remove any decorative items such as drapes or fixtures that you will be taking with you. This can save a lot of time and heartache when closing time comes and the buyer wants certain items that were seen during the viewing, but were not for sale.
Now it is simply a matter of your home showing to interested buyers. This is where your choice of Realtor really makes a difference. Hopefully this list will help your home to show to its full potential!
Exterior
Curb Appeal: First impressions are very important! Beautify the outside, especially the front.
?Fresh paint ?Remove weeds and/or moss and fertilize and patch lawn ?Trim and shape shrubbery ?Place fresh mulch in flower/shrub beds ?Clean gutters and downspouts ?Wash all windows ?Plant flowers that bloom during your selling season ?Clean concrete walkways and patios ?Make sure all screens are in place in the windows ?Consider replacing the roof if it is a distraction ?Remove all leaves and pine straw from the roof
Interior
Clean thoroughly and make house sparkle! Eliminate clutter and furniture you do not need. ?Sparkle and paint ? give a fresh, new appearance ?Shampoo Carpets ? consider carpet replacement if worn ?Remove any pet odors ?Replace old door knobs, faucets, light covers, etc. ?Clean doors, trim cabinets and counter tops ?Repair any inoperative appliances, heating and air conditioning or plumbing leaks ?Ensure all features work: doorbell, door locks, door handles, light sockets, etc ?A very light air freshener is nice
Basement
Anytime you have a basement or attic that is being used for storage areas, do the following: ?Clean, organize, stack all items neatly or out of sight ?Consider a yard sale of donations of all unusable items in storage ?Discard old paint cans, rags, empty containers, etc. ?Sweep the floors and deodorize if needed ?Make sure the light switches are well marked
Bathrooms
Clean and scour to remove dirt and mildew in all spaces: ?Re-caulk if grout is cracked and chipped ?Repair leaky faucets ?Clean commode ?Clean bathtubs and showers ?Polish sink and tub gaudiest ?Remove all mildew ?Paint window frames, walls, ceilings as needed ?Clean mirrors ?Clean exhaust fans (most people forget this) ?Place personal bathroom items out of sight
Bedrooms
One of the hardest items on the list to keep up with, if you have children: ?Unclutter closets ?Clean ?Unclutter items you do not need ?Make up beds everyday before leaving ?Make rooms as bright as possible
Kitchen
Clean outside of cabinets, rub out nicks with furniture polish (old English works well) ?Clean appliances (inside and outside) ?Clean stove vent fan ?Organize pantry and cabinets to give a spacious look ?Remove anything from the counter tops that give a cluttered appearance ?Clean under and behind the refrigerator and stove ?Clean light fixtures and bulbs ?Clean curtains ?Clean sink ? polish knobs and sink
Living and Family Rooms
Make as bright as possible and unclutter the rooms ?Open curtains and blinds ?Turn on all lights prior to a showing ?Dust and wax ?Organize the hall closet
Fireplace
Clean out ashes and remove all residue from surfaces near the fireplace ?Paint if smoke has discolored any area outside the fireplace ?Clean chimney (as required)
Showing Etiquette
Leave the scene and allow the Realtor to show the property! Buyers feel like intruders when viewing a home while the sellers are present.
Here are a few tips to follow:
?Buyers sometimes pay inflated compliments in the presence of the owner rather than tell the Realtor what he/she needs to know. ?Occasionally the buyers may ask something that unintentionally upset the sellers ?Try to make a good first impression ? first impressions are very important ?The first view of your home should make a buyer want to see if the inside is as great as the outside! ?Give the pets a vacation ? the presents of pets and pet odors can kill a deal ?Let your house say, "Welcome Home!" ?Leave the lights on ?Open the draperies and blinds ?Make sure the temperature is comfortable ?Play soothing, soft music ?Clean the house until it sparklers! ?Musty smelling homes are difficult to sell and non-smokers will not stay long in a home that has heavy cigarette odors
Compliments of Ken Jones RE/MAX Avenues 3475 Dallas Highway, Suite 112 Marietta, GA 30064 770-842-4531
Both Simon Conway & Ken Jones Remax are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Simon Conway has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fishing, Real Estate and Sell Home. Simon Conway is a professional real estate agent and investor specializing in