Because the current residential real estate market is so "soft", homeowners need to make their house or condo as competitive as possible. Depending on the size and situation of your home, you may be competing with new construction. If so, then extreme care must be taken to present your home so that it appears fresh and inviting.
Here are my "Top Ten" tips for getting your home ready to sell:
10. Set up a budget for repairs and updates. Unless your home, yard and hardscapes are in pristine condition, count on having to spend some money to bring them up to par. You will make those bucks back!
9.Make all needed repairs prior to listing your home. Savvy home-buyers are not going to miss small details like loose door hinges or broken tiles. The smallest things wrong with a home will send up red flags to buyers... they will wonder what else around your house you might have neglected.
8.Clear the clutter.Don’t permit anything to distract the buyer’s eye.
7.Pack away your collections. (See # 8) Besides… boxing them away now means that much less packing to do for the move). Remember, you are showcasing your house… not your hobbies!
6. Cleaner is better.Stock up on those cleaning supplies and be ready to use them -- a lot!
5. Find a rental spot for that huge RV, camping trailer, or extra vehicles (including boats!).You don’t need anything big dwarfing your driveway and house.
4.Peel off the patterned wall paper (AND border trims!)It’s highly taste-specific and the odds are stacked against finding a buyer with identical tastes as yours.(Murphy’s law, you know).
3.There are more “neutral wall colors” than just off-white.(Passionate Plum is not one of them!)
2. Never underestimate the power of "Curb Appeal".
There are no "second chances" when it comes to first impressions.
Welcome!
And the # 1, all-time best tip I can give you... (drum-roll, please)
1. Have your home staged. There is nothing as helpful as having an extra set of eyes go over your house or condo.Having an objective critique of your home will save you time and money in the long run!
