Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It has nothing to do with luck. It takes careful planning and knowing how to spruce up your home that will make buyers interested. Here are 11 tips on prepping your house to turn it into an irresistible and marketable home.
1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.
- Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
- Say goodbye to every room.
- Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
2. De-Personalize.
Pack up your personal items like pictures family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past your personal touches, and you don't want them to be distracted. You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."
3. De-Clutter!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
- If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
- Pack up those knickknacks.
- Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
- Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
- Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
Buyers love to snoop and will open closets, drawers and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out or look messy. Now imagine what a buyer must think about you if they see everything organized. It means you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.
- Organize the pantry.
- Clean out those junk drawers.
- Make sure you can actually walk into the walk-in closet. Line up shoes. Hang shirts together facing the same direction.
5. Rent a Storage Unit.
Your home will show much better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block paths and walkways. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don't want buyers scratching their heads and asking, "What is this room used for?"
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
If you want to take window coverings, appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in your entryway is a family heirloom and is priceless to you, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, they won't want it. Once you tell a buyer they can't have an item, they will want it, and it could cost you your deal. Pack up those items and replace them, if necessary.
7. Make Minor Repairs.
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Paint your walls neutral colors. It is an inexpensive fix to really spruce up your home. (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the ugly orange bathroom.")
- Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
- Patch holes in walls.
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Replace burned-out light bulbs.
- If you've considered replacing a worn comforter, do so now!
8. Make the House Sparkle!
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Use a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
- Clean out cobwebs.
- Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
- Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
- Clean out the refrigerator.
- Vacuum daily.
- Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
- Replace worn rugs.
- Hang fresh towels.
- Odors are a no-no! Clean out those litter boxes. Clean and air out any musty smelling areas.
9. Scrutinize.
- Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
- Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
- Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
- Make sure window coverings hang level.
- Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
- Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.
10. Check Curb Appeal.
If a buyer won't get out of their agent's car because they doesn't like the exterior of your home, then you probably won't even get them inside.
- Keep the sidewalks and driveway clear.
- Mow the lawn.
- Paint faded window trim.
- Plant yellow flowers in flower beds or pots. Yellow evokes a buying emotion.
- Trim your bushes.
- Hang a wreath on the front door.
11. Hire The Evelo Team ASAP!
The Evelo Team is ranked as the 4th Top Real Estate Team in Indiana, offering unparalleled service to over 760 families with proven results for more than 14 years! Whether you're looking to sell your home or buy your dream home in Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Indianapolis or surrounding areas, The Evelo Team can help you with ALL of your real estate needs.
For all of your real estate needs, please contact The Evelo Team at 317-863-4663 or by e-mail at team@eveloteam.com.