Main Content

10 Secret Tips to Sell Your Home

Selling Secret #10: The Kitchen Comes First

Which kitchen is more appealing to you?

Luxury Kitchen
Sell your home faster with a modern kitchen

You are not actually selling your house; you are selling your kitchen – that is how important it is. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you will probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy at least one fancy stainless-steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see one high-end appliance, they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen.

 

Selling Secret #9: Make Minor Repairs

Which state of repair is more appealing to you?

Fix minor repairs before selling
Neutral paint appeals to home buyers

In some seller’s markets, you can sell a home in a lived-in condition without much complaint. But in normal markets or a buyer’s market, repairs can make or break a sale. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles and patch any holes in the walls. Fix leaky faucets and doors that do not close properly, as well as kitchen drawers that jam. Consider painting walls neutral colors, especially if they are currently hot pink or purple. Do not give buyers any reason to remember your home as “the one with the orange bathroom.” Replace burned-out light bulbs and consider replacing those that have been in service for a while. Avoid the potential of having a bulb blow out when you flip the light switch during a showing. It is a small incident that can easily be avoided if you are mindful. You want the buyer’s experience to be as positive as possible. Throw open the curtains and blinds and turn on those lights. Houses show better when each room is clean and bright.

 

Selling Secret #8: Scrutinize Curb Appeal

Which home exterior is more appealing to you?

House with bad curb appeal
beautiful home with great curb appeal

A potential sale is lost quickly if a buyer will not even get out of their car because the exterior of your home turns them off. Make the exterior more appealing and welcoming by painting your front door and, perhaps, adding a wreath of dried wildflowers, or placing one or two flower pots on your front porch. Hire a landscaper to clean up your lawn and add a few shrubs or flowering plants. Consider hiring a contractor to fix any cracks on your front steps or walkway. Also, make sure visitors can clearly see your house number.

 

Selling Secret #7: Rent A Storage Unit

Storage units are great to de-clutter before selling your home

Selling a home successfully will involve some decluttering and purging of your belongings. For this reason, go ahead and rent a temporary storage unit before selling your home. Having a self-storage unit nearby will give you somewhere to temporarily place all your extra stuff when staging and showing the home.

 

Selling Secret #6: Disassociate, Depersonalize, and Declutter

Which room is more appealing to you?

Cluttered living area
Depersonalized living area

Letting go of your home can be difficult. You have lived there for years and the house holds many memories. To detach from it emotionally you must realize that without you in it, the house is just a shell to be filled by other occupants. Look to the future where you can make new memories in your next home. Sever your emotional attachment to the house by realizing that home is about the occupants who live there, not just the space or the building. Your next house will feel like home before you know it because you will be personalizing your space and creating new memories. Pack up your personal photographs, family heirlooms, and other objects and clutter that might distract potential buyers and hurt a possible sale. You want to present buyers with an impersonal, clean environment so they can imagine the home perhaps decorated with their own photographs, furniture, and art objects. Depersonalizing your home makes it easier for potential buyers to visualize how the home might look filled with their own items. Regarding furniture, only leave understated pieces that are not a distraction and do not create an unintended impression. For example, it would be difficult for a buyer to visualize their own antique furnishings in place of the existing zebra couch, bright yellow chair, and bear rug. People tend to collect an amazing quantity of items over the years. Reasons for keeping items include an emotional attachment, an intention to reuse or fix the items in the future, or a wish to pass them on to others. However, for many items, if you have not used them in over a year, you probably do not need them. Discard items in a useful way by donating them to a charity or nonprofit organization such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. These items not only help those in need but some are tax-deductible. For items that are not accepted, call your town to inquire whether the items can be picked up. Many towns schedule this service once or twice a month.

 

Selling Secret #5: Staging Your Home

Which closet is more appealing to you?

Pile of shoes
organized closet

Buyers will be curious about storage space and will want to check closets and cabinets. It is important to ensure these are organized, as it sends a negative message if your storage spaces are cluttered with items falling out. Also, remove books from bookcases and other knickknacks, and clean everything off your kitchen counters. Essential items that you use daily can be tucked away in small boxes that you can place in a closet when they are not in use. Consider this process an efficient start to your packing. When a buyer sees everything organized down to the last detail, it shows that you take care of your possessions and likely took good care of the house. In kitchen cabinets, alphabetize spice jars, neatly stack dishes, and turn the coffee cup handles so they are facing the same way. In closets, shirts should be buttoned and hung together, and shoes should be lined up neatly. If you plan to take certain window coverings, built-in appliances, or fixtures with you, remove them prior to showing the house. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great-grandmother, be sure to take it down before a buyer sees it and asks that it be included with the house. Telling a buyer they cannot have an item that appears with the house and enhances its appeal can hurt the sale.

 

Selling Secret #4: Always Be Ready to Show

Which bedroom is more appealing to you?

Bedroom ready for home showing
Messy bedroom

Your house needs to be “show-ready” at all times – you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You must be available whenever they want to come to see the place and it must be in tip-top shape. Do not leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there are no dust bunnies in the corners. It is a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold. No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It is important to make people feel warm, welcome, and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But when you are selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers, or even some cookies.

 

Selling Secret #3: Conceal the Critters

Which makes you happy and ready to buy?

Don't leave pets at home during a showing
Remove pets from home during showings

You might think a cuddly dog would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you would be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or a cat-lover. Buyers do not want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have tufts of pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean. If you are having a showing, make sure to take the pets with you when you leave.

 

Selling Secret #2: Pricing It Right

Which pricing model is more appealing to you?

Primarily, make sure to do your homework on the value of your home. Start by researching the local housing market through Realtor.com or Zillow.com. Look at comparable sales in your neighborhood to figure out the appropriate listing price for your home. Pay attention to the various comps’ square footage, features, and location. Finally, think about how they compare to your home. For example, your neighbor’s home may have sold for $500,000, but if your home is considerably smaller, you will most likely need to list your house for less. Of course, a reputable Realtor should be able to assist with finding comps and determining a listing price for your house.

 

Selling Secret #1: Finding the Best Listing Agent

Clayton Mills, Beaver Dam Real Estate Agent and Broker

This secret is in fact by far the most important. Finding the right listing agent to market and sell your home will net you more money even with their commission through an array of services not limited to professional marketing, advertising, photography, contract negotiation, and a smooth closing. Do you know the rules and legalities of a real estate transaction? All signed offer documents are legally binding and enforceable in a court of law in case you were thinking it is not a big deal. Chances are the buyer will have an agent representing them and their offer on your property, don’t you think it would be wise to have an agent representing you as well to negotiate on your behalf? Listing agents have a fiduciary responsibility to net you the most money when selling your property. You can also tap into their resource pool of local contractors for repairs during the closing process if needed. Great listing agents net sellers more money while making the nerve-racking home selling process a breeze. Not to mention you are going to want one for your next home purchase while your current home is on the market waiting to close. Partnering with a great listing agent is a win-win.

Please follow and like us:
YouTube
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share