Attract buyers by following a few rules
If you really want to help sell your home, you need to remember what attracted you to it back when you were a buyer. It is important to make wise marketing decisions that will attract buyers, whether they’re looking at the home from the street or taking a tour inside.
1. Clean
And I am talking about the kind of cleaning that you probably haven’t done since you moved it. Dust all the shelves and ceiling fans, wipe down the walls, wash the windows (inside and out), clean the bathtub / shower, buy some new hand towels for the baths.
2. De-clutter
Don’t know how you managed to accumulate so many items over the years? Not a problem…as long as you are willing to pack them up. If you are planning on moving to a smaller home, you want to donate these items to the Salvation Army. Can’t live without them? Go ahead and start packing. If you have a lot of items in your home which may cause it to look a tad bit cluttered, you may want to rent a storage locker while your home is on the market.
3. Lights
Be sure to check all your lights and replace any burned-out light bulbs. If you need to replace any bulbs, go with ones that mimic natural light as they have been proven to actually cause people in the home to feel better. For showings, turn on every light in the house, including ones you rarely use. During the daytime, open blinds and curtains to let prospects see how cheerful your home can be. Dark rooms are not always appealing to buyers.
4. Tool time
Remember all those weekend projects you were planning on finishing but never did? Well, now is the time to get those done – no rush or anything. Some of the projects will be very simple is you have the right tools and supplies while other may requite the use of a professional. Some examples of common repairs in prep for a listing include patching holes on walls, painting (touch and whole room), & re-caulking the bathtub / shower.
5. Organize
If you have messy drawers, cabinets, shelves, & other little nooks, you will need to organize them (yes, buyers will go through some of your these). If you need help with your organization skills, go buy some drawer separators and organizers. These are rather inexpensive and will end up making the move to your new home that much easier. You want buyers to believe that their life in this home will be one of organization, not chaos.
When showing your home, clear off all counters, dresser tops, desks and tabletops to the bare minimum. It may look plain, but when seen through a buyer’s eyes, a blank slate allows to see their items where your once were.
