Getting your house in excellent condition for showings can increase sale price and shorten days on market.
Modern home buyers crave move-in-ready homes. If the home has perceptible flaws, prospective buyers will often look at other options. This means less offers, less bidding, lower sale price. Making your property shine will allowing showings and open houses to be more successful. Make sure you don’t end up with a lower price than you deserve. Before you’re house is photographed to be listed on the market, consider your options for making your home appeal to the home buying audience.
1. Home Inspection Before The Sale
Arrange for a home inspection before listing your house for sale! For a few hundred dollars, an professional inspector can advise as to property defects that would bother potential home buyers. If you make these fixes prior to the listing, you don’t risk turning off certain buyers. The inspection can also save delay during the home sale spent negotiating repairs or due to cancelled contracts after inspection.
2. Obtain Home Renovations Estimates
Did your property inspection reveal repairs? Get estimates for necessary work. If there is quite a few home renovations needed, consider hiring a licensed general contractor off Angie’s list. If you can’t afford to fix-up the house, adjust listing price accordingly. You can also provide the estimates to buyers to speed along negotiations. Hiding defects or expected pricing will just result in a cancelled sale. Get the quotes in writing so the buyer can trust they were provided by a quality contractor.
3. Make Repairs You Can Afford
Repairs aren’t always expensive. Fix minor problems such as dripping faucets, broken outlets, dead bulbs, cracked caulking. Get appliances in working condition. Even trivial repairs can make a better impression if the home looks properly maintained. You can sell “as-is” if you’d prefer to sell a house without making repairs. However, this typically means selling for a lower price.
4. Remove Clutter
Tackle clutter. See a full guide to a “clutter free home” by Becoming Minimalist. Clear kitchen counters of appliances, food, cups, plates. Box up rarely used items (such as old toys and clothing) in your closets. Use closet organizers to create the appearance of more space. Store furniture, particularly if it is an eye sore or will not appeal to most buyers. Pack posters, political objects, sports items, and any “personal” items that could be a turn off to the buyer. Just because you like it, doesn’t mean home buyers will.
5. Clean Everything!
Buyers should exclaim “Mr. Clean lives here!” Clean houses make a better impression on buyers creating more interest and offers. You can clean yourself, or hire a cleaning crew. It will be well worth it to ensure your property shines.
If you prefer to clean yourself, wash windows and leave them open to air out your rooms. Shampoo the carpets, wash and shine wood floors. Make sure furniture, drapes, and other household fabrics are free of odor, smoke, or pet smell or hair. carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Scrub the inside of the microwave, refrigerator, and oven. Don’t miss out on the small stuff. Remove finger-prints from door knobs, tables, and vases. Ensure any and all garbage is removed for the photos and showings.
