Are You Ready for a Seller's Market?

As the economy improves, and we continue to see historically low mortgage rates, the housing market has seen a dramatic improvement. If you were waiting to upgrade to a bigger or better house, now is the time to get your current home on the market. Though it may be a seller’s market right now, you do need to do your homework and put in some time and effort. Preparing your home for prospective buyers will help you get the best price as quickly as possible. We have a few ideas to get you started on the task.

Consider curb appeal. This tried-and-true advice is everywhere, so it’s no surprise that it is first on our list. You really never do get a second chance to make a first impression. Weeds in your landscaping, peeling paint, or unsightly belongings in your yard may cost you a buyer before they even schedule a showing. Make sure everything is clean and freshened up. Plant a few bright flowers in pots or around your landscape. For more ideas on adding some appeal, visit our Pinterest board.

Dump the junk. Most people have closets and cabinets filled to the brim, rooms packed with extra belongings, and walls filled with memories. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, when you’re selling your home, it is simply not a good thing to be bursting at the seams. You want potential buyers to see that there is plenty of room for their own belongings, a place for everything. Think 80/20: fill only eighty percent of each drawer, cabinet, or closet. This not only creates the illusion of space, but also makes upkeep easier, keeping things clean for showings. Make sure each room has plenty of open space, but enough furniture to keep it functional. Remove personal mementos, including family pictures, so that buyers can begin to see the space as theirs.

Complete that honey-do list. Every home has that list of little things that need maintenance work, but are now long forgotten: a chip in the drywall, a broken doorstop, the tub in the guest bath that needs caulk. Walk through your home, making a list of all the little things, gather your supplies, and check the repairs off one by one. Hire a professional if this seems too daunting. 

Make it shine. Sure, your house is clean, but it needs to sparkle. Clean it all.  Don’t forget light fixtures, baseboards, grout, and carpets. Pay special attention to odors; pet odors, smoke, or a recent fish dinner can send buyers away with a bad taste in their mouth. Clean as much as possible, then use a natural scent to cover it up. Better yet, bake a batch of cookies, which will make the house smell delightful.

Create a blank slate. The colors you’ve chosen in your home say a lot about you, but they may be very unappealing to someone else. Paint over odd color combinations or those hues that most of us bid farewell last decade. Stick with neutral shades that brighten and enlarge the room.

With just a little bit of elbow grease and a determination, you can have your house ready for the market in no time. Best wishes as you take this next step toward upgrading your home.

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