PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR MARKET
Your first showings are online, and accordingly, picture day is your most crucial showing. There are four components to consider when you prepare your home for sale: cleaning/decluttering, home improvements, staging, and curb appeal. These should be decided on and completed before high-resolution listing photos are taken.
Cleaning/Decluttering Tips:
Less is more:
You are moving, so start packing and donating unnecessary items.
Ask: How long has it been since I used this? In addition, how will I store it if I decide to keep it? Harb & Co. can provide a list of local donation centers if desired.
Kitchen:
Throw away expired food items. Meanwhile, eliminate unused products, utensils, and appliances. Click here to learn how to organize your pantry for sale.
Bathroom:
Deep clean.
Learn how to stage your bathroom for sale here.
Bedroom:
Remove or hide valuables.
Refresh bedding if needed.
Meanwhile, donate clothes you no longer wear.
Click here to learn how to organize your closet for sale.
Home improvements can be as significant as updating a kitchen and bathroom. But, any home improvement aims to boost your home’s value and increase your
return on investment. Therefore, you should consult with your Realtor regarding
their experience. Moreover, how do buyers in your market react to these changes? And further, if it’s
worth the energy and investment.
Minor Home Improvement Ideas:
1. Clean/Repair
- Deep clean your carpet, buff hardwood floors, and have windows professionally cleaned.
- Re-caulk bath. Re-grout tile.
- Likewise, if you did a pre-inspection, consult with your Realtor to learn which repairs are recommended to sell for the highest possible price.
- Landscape: mulch and trim dormant trees and plants.
2. Replace
- Outdated hardware on cabinets.
- Unattractive, outdated, and or mismatched light fixtures.
- Remove dead house plants.
3. Add
- A new doormat.
- Fresh flowers for picture day.
- House plants.
Curb appeal is the attractiveness of a home and its surroundings when viewed from the street. Therefore, this is crucial for attracting buyers and drive-by prospects and increasing your home’s perceived value. Top five ways to create curb appeal.
Tip #1: Complete your own inspection. Take a look at your home from the street. For instance, is the roof free of debris? Typically, we find that the landscape needs to be spruced up.
Tip #2: Add exterior touches and minor additions to make your home stand out. Some everyday updates, for example, are a new mailbox, home address numbers, freshly painted front door, and a new welcome mat. One minor upgrade might not do much, but they can be powerful when viewed together.
Tip #3: Hire a professional to pressure wash and clean windows and gutters. Click here for our vendor list.
Tip #4: If needed, consider painting the exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint can revive the appearance; however, perhaps just the trim should be painted.
Consult with your Realtor before you make any repairs or improvements. Indeed, their job is to assist you in preparing your home for the market. A rule of thumb is that investing a dollar should add at least three to your bottom line.
