Preparing Your Home For Showings
Homes that are properly staged almost always sell faster
regardless of market conditions. If your home is on the
market, be sure you your humble
abode looking follow these guidelines to keep showroom
perfect. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the buyer!
Cut the clutter. This is one of the easiest ways to give your home
a “ready to buy” feel. Start by removing anything that is wasting space: old
magazines, random objects that don’t have a purpose, even your favorite family
photographs should be kept to a minimum. Then, clean out closets, pick up
anything on the floor, put away anything that isn’t immediately being used and
if you have kids, organize their toys neatly in one spot; preferably in a
closet. Your REALTOR® might even suggest removing bulky furniture to give rooms
a larger appearance.
Spic and span. Now that you’ve removed any
unnecessary objects, clean your home from top to bottom. Hire a maid if this
task becomes too involved. Your home should sparkle like new after you’re done.
By removing the clutter and cleaning your home, you show the buyer that you are
a serious seller who is willing to put time and energy into a home they might
buy.
Curb appeal. You know the drill; first
impressions are the most important. So when buyers first pull up to your home
with their REALTOR®, they should see an inviting home with a great looking
yard. Remove any random objects from your yard, mow the lawn on a regular
basis, plant colorful flowers, and paint your garage door if over the years
it’s lost its luster. Be sure to keep the backyard looking nice as well. You
want the potential buyer to picture themselves living in this house. They can’t
do that if your stuff is lingering and looking cluttered
Touch-ups. Over the years, your home may
have received a little wear and tear. It’s the mark of a lived-in home. Touch
up molding and seams around the house with a fresh coat of
paint. Reapply wallpaper if it looks like it’s starting to peel away from the
walls (this happens in bathrooms frequently from the steam of the shower). Your
REALTOR® may suggest you repaint a room to give it a fresh feel or they might
suggest a bigger project like replacing light fixtures throughout your home.
Ready and waiting. Often, buyers will show
up with a REALTOR® at a moment’s notice. This means your home should appear showroom
perfect as often as possible. Explain to your kids why they need to make an
effort to keep the home as clean as possible. Avoid cooking harsh-smelling
foods if you think buyers might take a tour. Also, keep animals at bay so they
don’t annoy visitors to the home, put them in the garage or take them to a
neighbor's or family member’s home if necessary.
These five strategies are a great start to stellar staging.
Always talk with your REALTOR® if you should have any questions or concerns when prepping your home for potential buyers. And keep in mind, any advice your REALTOR® gives you is helpful not hurtful. They know what buyers like to see, and are simply offering suggestions to improve the salability of your home.
