Is Your Home Market Ready?

How do you make sure your house stands out in today’s hot market? Surprisingly enough, the best way to stand apart is often to not stand out at all. There are a few simple things you can do to make your home attractive to any buyer, and many of them involve making it easier for the buyer to imagine themselves in your home. See below for several helpful tips that will put your house at the top of every buyer’s list!

1. Go outside. How is your curb appeal? First impressions do count! In fact, the average buyer decides within the first ten seconds whether or not they want to see the rest of the house, so make sure your yard is immaculate. If it’s winter, snow should be cleared with an easy, clean path to the front door. In the summer, the lawn should be cut and trimmed, with no weeds. Make sure you take care of the garage and the mudroom, too. If possible, park your vehicles at another location when you show the house; this allows buyers to picture the garage as they would utilize it, with plenty of extra storage space.

2. Clean, Clean, Clean! This cannot be overstated. Floors should be swept and mopped, carpets vacuumed, and windows washed. Make sure moldings are clean and grout is fresh. From the foyer, to the kitchen, to the bathrooms, the entire house must sparkle. No clutter should be seen. Work to arrange your furniture in a manner that emphasizes the space, and allows for easy flow as buyers move from room to room.

3. Do you need to paint? If the paint is starting to wear or crack or if you have bold, vibrant colors on your walls, a new coat of paint may be in order. Make sure you choose neutral colors, as this will allow buyers to picture their tastes and belongings in each room.

4. If you have pets, make sure to keep them elsewhere during showings, and remove any pet odors in advance. You want to keep the focus on the house, not your furry friend. Plus, you never know if potential buyers will be nervous around Fido or allergic to Mittens.

5. Brighten it up! Clean, bright spaces are appealing. You want to make sure that every room in your home is well-lit. Take advantage of any and all natural light by making sure all curtains and blinds are open, and all lights are on. You should also check all light fixtures to ensure all bulbs are working and at maximum capacity. A well-lit house is inviting and happy, and shows buyers you have nothing to hide.

6. Clean your closets. Often times, closets and pantries may be overlooked when preparing your home for sale. But if you clean, organize, and declutter your closets, you can showcase potential storage space for the buyer. The rule I use is to pack away two-thirds, leaving only one-third of your belongings. This will show your buyer that you have ample storage space.

7. Make sure to remove all photographs and other family curios. You don’t want buyers to focus on photos and personal decor. You want their eye to go to high-ticket items, like your stainless steel appliances and gleaming hardwood floors!

These are just a few simple tips to help boost the value of your home, fast! For more information, feel free to email Amie Pettengill at amie.pettengill@nemoves.com.