Preparing to Sell: Five Things to Consider
Clean
Arguably the most important item
Clean is the operative word! Most would agree this is the most important item you can take care of when preparing to sell. Nothing spells unkempt, more than dirt, dust, odors, and overall messiness. Ever stayed in a dirty hotel room? Yeah, not pleasant. A clean house gives buyers the confidence to envision themselves in the space. It hardly costs a penny to clean your home and we all know a little elbow grease goes a long way! Don’t forget the outside of your home; this is buyers’ first impression of your house.
Declutter
Help buyers see their family in your space
When selling your house, the goal is to help buyers envision themselves in the home. To help buyers visualize themselves in that space, we need to clear-out miscellaneous items to create a larger and more inviting space. Just because it’s “put-away” and visible, doesn’t mean buyers won’t see it when they open the closet door. Messy closets give the impression that your house doesn’t have enough storage. Also, keep in mind, every item you have sends a message to potential buyers. If you need to get clutter off your hands, have a garage sale, sell items online, or donate to a good cause.
Depersonalize
Remove your personal stamp
Help buyers imagine their items in your space. Pack-up knickknacks, family photos, and any other personal effects. It may seem cruel to hear the "personal-stamp" you have lovingly placed on your home needs to go, but remember: you are selling your house, not your stuff!
Stage
Make your home appealing to the largest buyer pool
Once the clutter is gone, your personal items are packed, and your house is clean - set the stage! Staging is the process of adding, removing, and organizing home decor and furniture. This allows the house to showcase its highest potential. Bring in the experts to refresh the decor. Stagers have the ability to strategically ‘frame’ your house through a ‘lens’ that eliminates the guesswork for potential buyers. Remember, we want them to walk in and say, “I love this. If I don’t buy it, some else will.” We want to capture the emotional connection of buyers… And as always, we want to sell your house as quickly as possible for the most amount of money.
Open Up
Bring in the spring air!
It’s time to open everything up! As we inch closer to spring, take advantage of the fresh spring weather by opening your windows to let in the fresh air and sunlight. It’s amazing how the spring air will make your house feel (and smell) more vibrant. Bright rooms aren’t just aesthetically-pleasing; they also look bigger. If natural light doesn’t suffice, add floor lamps or table lamps to help brighten up those dark or dim areas. You can even add some (subtle) air fresheners to give that springtime feeling a bit of a boost.
