Selling your home is one of the most important decisions you can ever make. In many cases, it will be an emotional one once you decide to leave. It is also a situation that demands you put your emotions to one side and be practical in order to get the best price for your home. This means preparing it inside and out.
Here are 15 things you can do, inside and out, to put your house in its best light and get the highest offer for your home.
INTERIOR
1. Divest and declutter
Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last two years. Donate it to charity, sell it on eBay, or give it to someone you know will use it and appreciate it. This will not only declutter your home so it will look more inviting, but it will also make it a lot easier when you finally move.
2. Remember, there’s nowhere to hide
Speaking of decluttering, remember that any prospective buyer is going to want to look at everything, inside and out. So will the surveyor. So there’s no way you can have your closets heaving with old clothes or a garage that looks like a bomb hit it. If you really can’t give up certain items, consider putting them into storage, or a family member’s garage.
3. Clean the place from top to bottom
Pay particular attention to the kitchen, bathroom, and garage. Don’t forget the laundry room, mudroom and so on. Use a pleasant but not overpowering scent. Lemon is always a good choice.
4. Paint the inside of the house in neutral colors like white and cream
These colors are easy to match when buyers are thinking of what they will have to do when they move in their things.
5. Invest in neutral-colored furniture throws, pillows, and drapes
This will help the house look cozy and inviting, without running the risk of them rejecting the house on a gut level because they don’t have the same decorating tastes as you.
6. Rearrange the furniture to make the rooms look as large as possible
Get rid of any items that make the rooms look crowded, such as lots of fussy little tables or loads of lamps. Move the furniture to the farthest edges of the room if you can. Get rid of family photos and other knick-knacks in order to depersonalize your house, so they can picture what it will be like to live there themselves.
7. Tackle every repair on your to-do list
Don’t get caught out when buyers view your home. This will also ensure they have no “black marks” against your home that would cause them to hesitate, or try to bring down the price.
EXTERIOR
8. Wash the outside of the house
Get a home wash hose attachment at your local DIY store to help.
9. Paint your home
This will cost money, especially if you have to hire a professional, but it can add significantly to the price you’ll get for the home. Use neutral colors.
10. Clean all the guttering and drains
They should be free of leaves and other debris.
11. Clean all outside windows and screens and outdoor areas
Clean porches, decking, and so on.
12. Clean the garden and any land around the property
Get rid of leaves, weeds, and bald patches on the lawn.
13. Make sure any fencing around your home is in good repair
It should be freshly painted and not broken if made of wood, and freshly painted in a neutral color if made of iron.
14. Be sure your front door looks fresh and new
Paint it if needed, and add new door numbers if they look old and weathered.
15. Put out a new welcome mat
This will help create a great first impression.
Follow these tips and your home will be easier to sell, and at a much higher asking price than otherwise.
If you’re in need of help to professionally stage your home so that you can sell quickly AND for top dollar, we can help as that’s our thing and what we do best! Give us a call for a FREE consultation.
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