Tips For Selling Your Home

Historically speaking, the months of March through May are great times to sell a house. Since the prime selling season is now in full swing, it may be time to get your home ready for the real estate market. Before you put it up on the market, you want to make sure your home is in tip-top shape so you can get the most out of the sale. If you’re thinking about selling, we offer some tips and advice about staging, curb appeal, landscaping, and the most critical must-do’s.

Declutter and Depersonalize

When it comes time to show your home to potential buyers, less is definitely more. It’s best to do a sweep of your home and get rid of excess clutter on countertops, bookshelves, kitchen counters, and more. If a home is cluttered, buyers may find it distracting and difficult to visualize themselves living there, and it’s also easier for sticky fingers to take something from your house. To that end, be sure to hide and secure any valuables such as credit cards, gift cards, jewelry, money, and social security cards, just to name a few. Part of the decluttering process should also include removing personal items such as family photos or artwork that again could distract potential buyers from imagining themselves living there. The goal is to offer buyers an empty page so they can dream of creating their own story in the home.

Pay Attention to Paint

When you’re preparing your home to sell, it’s important to keep even the smallest details in mind. Take the time to touch up scuff marks and scratches on the wall and take extra care in cleaning the walls and baseboards. Homebuyers may be turned off if they feel they have a lot of small fixes to do. Doing touch-ups on your walls, ceilings, and baseboards can give your home a pristine, polished look. It’s also best to think about using lighter, neutral tones for your wall paint colors. This gives buyers a blank canvas from which to work, and it’s easier to picture themselves in the space. It also has the added benefit of giving the space more natural light which can make it look larger.

Keep It Fresh and Clean

It can be a challenge, but you’ll want to keep your home clean and spotless throughout the selling process. This means you’ll be ready when a buyer wants to schedule a last-minute showing. This also gives your home that added sparkle and polish we referenced earlier. If you’re unsure of where to start, here are some cleaning tips. Unpleasant smells can also be a huge turn-off for homebuyers. Take the time to eliminate foul smells in your home by doing a deep cleaning. If you need to, have a friend or family member do a walk-through to check for foul odors, as they are sometimes difficult to detect if you live in them long enough. It’s also best to avoid using scented candles, air fresheners, or wax warmers as homebuyers may not find the scent agreeable.

Consider Staging Your House

People who stage homes prior to selling have the expertise to take your home up to the next level, from a selling standpoint. They can help you choose the right accessories, accents, and furniture to give the space an updated look and feel which can make it more attractive to potential buyers. When staging your home, it’s best to work with a professional who is intimately familiar with the process and knows what buyers are looking for. Here are some additional tips.

Create the First Impression

As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” It’s a (sometimes) unfortunate fact that buyers judge your home from the first moment they see it. That’s why it’s important to fine-tune your landscaping and the exterior of your home. Big and pricey exterior fixes aren’t always necessary to achieve this either. Doing touch-up painting on the outside or repainting the door can freshen things up. Adding a simple outdoor sitting area with a few wicker chairs can offer a warm and welcoming front yard that beckons visitors in. Updating your landscaping with brightly colored flowers or attractive shrubs can help too.

Spencer from Freedom Irrigation & Landscaping recommends updating your flower beds with fresh and bright flowers, and using black mulch to accentuate the colors. “It’s just inviting, and makes people happy to see a nice, clean variation of flowers, says Spencer. A sure way to make a great first impression on a buyer.”

If you’re ready to sell your home, The Lippincott Team professionals can advise you about how to get your home ready. Our professional stagers can offer tips and advice for making your house the one they want. Call us at 713-494-1818 or check us out on social!