First Things First
A buyer's first impression is a key factor in you selling your home. You want it to make potential buyers think "hey, I can picture us having dinner in this room every night." This means that the way your home looks, smells, and even feels will have an effect on whether or not a person will be a buyer simply a passer by.
Clean It
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, scrub everything clean! That means the baseboards, the ceiling fans, and the inside, outside, and tops all of your major appliances (that includes the refrigerator). I have a punch list of all of the little things that people don't even realize they notice which I will go through with you after our first meeting.
Fix It
Next, you know all of those little projects you've been thinking about doing for the past 5 years? Now is the time to do them! That doesn't mean you need to redo all of your floors, but fix the paint chip in the door, finish those neglected cabinets, and redo the weather stripping on that back door. I put the yard in this category as well. Mow that sucker and trim those hedges. I will help you look at the home objectively to see what absolutely needs to be done. Remember, you are competing against both new and resale homes, and this will keep you on top!
Declutter it
We want buyers to be able to picture themselves in the home. They don't want to feel as though they are intruding. Remove any clutter that may draw attention from how squeaky clean everything is, and replace it with thoughtfully chosen items. Decorate with neutrals and just use a few pops of color here and there. Also, fresh flowers or a potted plant can go a long way in livening up a room!
If it's Vacant, Stage it!
There are multiple reasons for staging a home. The main one being that a vacant home is proven time and time again to be more difficult to sell. It can even give the appearance that you are more eager to sell, thus hurting your negotiation stance.
De-Stink it!
Smells. Food smells. Pet smells. Smoking is a huge deal killer. Don't let the reason your house doesn't sell be an odor that was completely avoidable. Clean citrus smells and peppermint are shown to be the best aromas for a showing.
Leave it!
This is something I've griped about many a time! If buyers' agents are unable to schedule showings, they will move on to the next property on their list. Try to keep things clean and not plan any major functions at your home while it is on the market. You'll have notice of showings, but this just keeps things from getting too stressful.
Why are you selling?
It is incredibly important that you know, in your heart, why you want to sell. The answer to this question, however, is between you and your designated agent. If you haven't signed a document that gives someone a judiciary duty to be loyal to you and only you in a transaction, then this information could be used against you in negotiations. I tell this to all of my buyers as well. If someone walks up to the home unannounced, politely give them my card and I will do my best to accommodate a proper showing so that your home can be well displayed and, above all else, you can stay safe.
