In a market like this, we're all looking for ways to entice buyers. With these simple tips, you'll be well ahead of the rest!
- Fix the "small" stuff. With the exception of "flippers", buyers don't want to purchase a home that they feel will need to be scrubbed top to bottom before they feel comfortable living in it. Take a Magic Eraser to your light switches, doors, baseboards, and scuffed shoe molding. Dust, vaccum, or scrub door frames. When a buyer is coming down the stairs and realizes the tops of the doorframes are covered in dust, it makes he or she wondered what else needs to be scrubbed. If you're handy, new caulk in the bathrooms goes a long way too!
- Consider getting a home inspection. If you can't afford the repairs, if there are any, go ahead and get estimates for the job. Imagine how a buyer will feel when you can be upfront with the condition of the house. Already having estimates also eliminates the possibility of a potential buyer marking your house of their list because they think those repairs will be more costly than they probably are. If you can afford even some of the repairs, do them! Another "big,warm fuzzy" for buyers - "Mr. & Mrs. Buyer - here is the home inspection and here are the job tickets for items 1-3." The buyer is then cheering inside their head because they can rest assured that there isn't anything hiding under the floorboards.
- Clear out the clutter! De-personalizing goes a long way. You want the buyer to picture THEIR life in the home, not walk through looking at pictures of your life in the home. Pack away anything in the cupboards that isn't used regularly - buyers love cabinet space and this will give the impression that there's lots of it. Pack away pictures that aren't artwork or impersonal photography. Clear off bathroom vanities and dresser tops - again, you want potential buyers to focus on your house, not learn who you are as a person.
- Clean. Clean everything! Wash windows, pressure wash the exterior if possible, clean up the gardens, and make sure the yard is neat. If it's possible to move appliances and sweep and mop under them, do so. The items left on bookshelves and countertops need to be clean as well - otherwise you're not fooling anybody! Enlist the children in the "game" or consider hiring a cleaning service for a once-over deep clean to put you on the right path.
I hope these little tips help. If it's possible to detach yourself a bit from your home, and walk around like you're looking at the house for the first time - great! You're well on your way to a successful (and quick) home sale.
Next week, we'll talk about some tips for home staging.
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Beth Jones
Hampstead and Camp Lejeune REALTOR®
EXIT Homeplace Realty
CampLejeuneHomefinder.com
OnslowHomefinder.com
(910) 378-6468
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# posted by
Beth Jones @ 8:56 AM
