“Get it Ready–Get it Sold”
As we’ve been reporting, our market is HOT right now! If you’ve decided to take advantage of the lower inventory and rising prices, here are a few more ways to ensure that your home is ready for a quick sale. Because even if the market is hot…if your home is not, it could sit there longer than the competition. Don’t go through all the trouble of bringing buyers to your front door unless you’re ready to invite them in!
So here are a few tips for getting ready for a summer sale:
Starting outside–this is your first chance to make an impression! Keep things neat and clean. Get rid of clutter, power wash if needed, and clean or paint the front door. For the lawn, you don’t have to put in all new sod, just make sure the grass is kept neat and maybe add fresh mulch and a few flowering plants.
Inside, #1–let as much natural light in as possible! Buyers are not drawn to dark and closed rooms. Open up your home, lighten and brighten it. If you have valances that are blocking light, remove them. Raise the shades and let light in! If you like to keep blinds closed for privacy, at least open them before any scheduled showings–don’t expect that every showing agent will do this for you. For evening showings, turn on lamps and overhead lights before leaving your house.
2. Renovate what’s outdated. If your kitchen or bathroom is screaming 1980s, it’s time to freshen it up a bit to get top dollar for your home. Update fixtures like bath faucets, towel racks, and cabinet pulls if you are on a tight budget! A little bit of staging can go a long way–don’t attempt to hide imperfections, but you can distract the eyes with flowers, pretty towels, and carefully chosen decor.
3. On the same note, think small with renovations. Don’t overdo it when you can’t be sure what every buyer is looking for. For instance, instead of replacing all the cabinets, paint them or just replace the doors (just don’t tackle the job yourself unless you have experience there!)
4. A little paint can go a long way! If you love your wall color but are afraid that buyers won’t, a new coat of paint is relatively inexpensive and an easy way to give your house a facelift. Keep it neutral, as you want your buyers to imagine this home as theirs, but it doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Buyers like to see personality…just not too much of it.
5. Take a good look around your house, and fix anything that is broken. Repairs can take some time–get them out of the way so you can get your house sold faster! Having a pre-sale home inspection can go a long way with securing the trust (and attention) of a prospective buyer, AND can save you from surprises once you’re under contract.
6. This last tip may seem easy, but it’s one that sellers get wrong all the time. Pay attention to odors. Remember, smells can kill a sale! If you have pets, smoke, or like to cook fragrant food, consider getting your carpet professionally cleaned and even painting to make sure it smells good as new! Always put away litter boxes and pet food before a showing, and if possible, don’t cook anything with a strong or lingering odor for breakfast that day. On the same note, an overly fragrant candle or too much air freshener isn’t a good solution–and may make buyers wonder what you’re hiding, or can cause a buyer with a sensitive nose to move through your house too quickly to appreciate it. However, fresh baked cookies are always a nice touch–and may even sweeten the deal.
If you’re thinking of selling and would like a (free, no-obligation) meeting with one of our listing partners, give us a call at 256-799-9000. We can go through your home one-on-one with you to troubleshoot potential selling issues and suggest staging improvements to “get it ready and get it sold”!
