real estate series: prepping your home to sell quickly

When thinking of selling your home, you may not know where to start. Before a listing goes live I always help my clients get it market ready. During our listing appointment where we talk about comparable sales, list price, and the ins and outs of the home selling process, I also like to walk the property and note areas that I can use as focal points for marketing (upgraded kitchen or bath, custom closet, covered patio) as well as areas that need a little TLC (broken door knobs, dead plants in the landscaping, missing light bulbs). My job is to get my clients the most money for their home and to do that, it should be in tip top shape.

Here are my top 5 tips for prepping your home for sale:

GET THE CURB APPEAL ON POINT

This is a buyer's very first impression of your home! Trim trees, bushes or hedges neatly, replace any dead landscaping, and keep the grass mowed. Consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint (or at least a good clean) and pressure washing the driveway (if needed). Adding a plant or pretty pot of flowers by the door can help the home feel more inviting and set the tone for a happy showing.

LET THE LIGHT IN

Make sure windows are free from blackout shades or anything that inhibits the natural light from coming through. Natural light helps a space feel more open and airy, which is why us Realtors are always opening the blinds and shades before a showing to take advantage of this.

DECLUTTER

Declutter, then declutter some more. Donate items that you no longer use, get rid of anything that's broken, and try not to cram everything into closets. If a space looks too full and overflowing with "stuff", buyers may think the home lacks storage space for their belongings. Consider renting a temporary storage space as this will not only help your house look more appealing, but moving out will be easier if some things are already packed. If you are storing boxes in the garage, try to have them neatly stacked so buyers can still see the garage space.

DEPERSONALIZE

The goal is to create a blank canvas - family photos and personal items make a house feel like home, but it's important that buyers can envision themselves living there . Let your home's architectural features shine by removing all of the extra clutter and personal items. Rooms will appear bigger and more neutralized, which appeals to a larger pool of buyers.

DEEP CLEAN

Clean like you've never cleaned before. Switch to the eyes of a potential buyer, they will notice any dirt, dust, or grime in your home in places you may not even think of. Make sure ceiling fans, blinds, baseboards, stove tops, microwaves, bathrooms, etc. are squeaky clean.

I hope this information was helpful! If you are thinking of listing your home soon and have any questions, always feel free to contact me.

Happy cleaning,

~Katie