 Curb appeal and first impressions really do count when selling your home. Prospective buyers form an initial impression of your property as theydrive by the first time. This initial impression is one of the keyfactors in selling your home. I recently read in a Fortune Magazine article that “staged homes” sell in seven days while others stay on the market an average of 45 days. That stat alone should persuade you to print out this article and use it as a check list.
My husband and I have renovated and sold seven houses. And we have sold them quickly with a
nice return on investment. In the beginning, we had a mentor. We used their advice, but we also built our own list of tips. I now use this experience as a real estate sales agent. Below are some of our tips.
If time permits, stage the curb appeal of your property at least a month prior to listing your house. Those that drive by your property will notice and it will elevate the perception of your property. This will increase word-of-mouth advertising when the "For Sale" sign goes in your yard.
If you don't have a month to show off the exterior of your property prior to listing, spend a weekend doing the below tasks:
- Repainting your home can be very costly and could eat up your over-all profit. So, unless your exterior is in very poor condition, I suggest that you re-paint your entry door and shutters. That pop of fresh paint makes a difference. I also suggest power washing your house. It’s actually cheaper to buy a power washer at a home improvement store than to hire someone to do it
for you.
- Remove yard clutter. This includes toys, lawn maintenance tools (mowers, etc) and excessive yard art (pink flamingos, etc). Store, donate or throw away any excess. The rule of No Clutter is the top tip for selling your property.
- Show a room’s intended use. If you have a dining room, show it as a dining room and not as a kid’s playroom. It is critical to show bedrooms as bedrooms. If you have to, borrow furniture to set up these rooms.
- Color is tricky. Ask your realtor for advice while they pre-view your home. Neutral colors sell, but I don’t always re-paint all the rooms prior to listing my own homes. I have sold many homes with red kitchens or sage green bedrooms, BUT not all the prospects were impressed by my personal decorating. If you decide to re-paint, go with a warm off-white. If your wallpaper is outdated, it needs to be stripped and the walls painted. You can rent a steamer at any home improvement store. Outdated or worn wallpaper costs you money in the purchase offer.
- A bathroom can be staged by using new towels and shower curtain. Go neutral with the linens to down-play any outdated fixtures or bold tile. Plus, neutral linens can be re-used in your new home.
- If you are buying new furniture for your future home, use it for display in your current home during the sales process. Minimal furniture in current styles will increase the purchase offer. Do not over crowd rooms with furniture. Place only a few pieces that denote the use of the room and store extra pieces. Be careful with master bedrooms. A bed and dresser is enough.
- Spending less than $200 at a discount or craft store can increase the purchase offer. It is key to walk through your home and make a list prior to going prop shopping. Your real estate agent can assist. Your prop list may include items such as a new wreath and welcome mat, potted plants, a place setting to display a breakfast bar of dining table and candles. These small investments can be used later in your new home.
- Establish a “Welcome Center”. Your real estate agent will want to offer brochures inside your home. Buyer’s agents will also want to leave their cards. When selling my own home, I also leave a small photo album showing the house in different seasons in the Welcome Center. Use this tip if you have flower gardens that are not in bloom during the sales cycle. I also create a flyer listing all the activities that are close to the home that the new owners may enjoy. My favorite restaurant list is always a hit.
Take photos of your home prior to listing it for sale. Show those photos to friends who will not hold back needed comments. Invite that friend for a preview of your property and give them a clipboard to take notes. Sometimes, we don’t always see our own decorating or cleaning faults.
My final tip is to communicate with your real estate agent. Ask for feedback from showings. Is there anything that you can do to quickly rectify negative comments that were made in the showing?
Staging your home can speed the sales process and it can actually increase the offer price. For many, just moving is a stressful experience. If staging your home sounds too complicated or stressful, ask your real estate agent for assistance. They can offer suggestions or even bring in a team of professionals to do all of the work for you. When interviewing agents, ask them if they offer a staging service and ask to see their portfolio.
Happy sales!
--Kim Chappell |
