In any game, it is critical to anticipate your opponents next move. Just ask Donald Trump or Peyton Manning! The same holds true when you are selling your home – the more you know, the less power you give to the other team- a potential buyer. Below are a few suggestions to help you be on the right side of the playing field:
· View from the curb. Never under estimate curb appeal. The outside of your home will be the buyers first impression so it is imperative to make it a great one! Bushes look overgrown? Trim them back. Paint chipping off of the trim? Touch it up. If you don’t have a critical eye, ask a neighbor – trust me, they have noticed the imperfections you no longer see!
· Inspect. Walk through your home and make notes of obvious problems. Have a window with a broken seal? Replace it. Found a leak under the sink? Repair it. A good home inspector will find and document these problems for their client – the buyer. By tackling the issues ahead of time you will leave that home inspector on the bench trying to figure out how to get in the game!
· Turn honey-do’s into honey-done’s. We all have our little to-do lists of things that we will get around to. But now is the time to scratch those items off of your list. Grout in your shower a lovely shade of brown when it used to be white? Re-grout to make your bath shine. Kitchen cabinet coming off the hinge? Tighten it up to make your kitchen look picture perfect. Showing a buyer that your home is well maintained will reassure them that they can move in without having to add to their own running list of things to do.
· Update. Look around and see if there are small changes you can make to improve the look and feel of your home. Builder grade light fixture in the dining room? Replace it with a more modern and up-to-date selection. Wallpaper in the den from the 1960’s? Take it down and paint it a neutral color. Making a small investment in your home now will pay off in the long run with less time sitting on the market. Don’t know what selections to make? Consult your Realtor or a professional home stager.
· Depersonalize. Sure, your baby is cute as a button and home buyers will love looking at all of the photos of he or she....but that’s the problem! They will be so distracted looking at your little cutie that they won’t be paying attention to the details that make your home so special. Store these pictures and other unique items in a safe place and let the potential buyer envision THEIR pictures on the wall. Don’t worry – you will be settled into your new home soon enough and can enjoy every documented milestone!
· De-clutter. We all have it and we all hate it. It’s an endless cycle. But when your home is on the market it is important that everything has its place and everything has a functional use. Show off your kitchen counter by storing small appliances in a cabinet or closet. Clear the papers and office equipment off of your make shift desk in the dining room. You don’t want to show a buyer you don’t have enough space for your belongings making them think they won’t have enough space for theirs.
· Clean, clean, clean. If you do nothing else to your home, make sure it is sparkling and absent of odor. Nothing turns off a buyer more than a dirty home that smells! Make your bed, wash and put away the dishes, and showcase your fantastic home!
By implementing these tips and strategies you will avoid being blindsided and will leave the real estate game victorious!
Ready to get into the Henrico County Real Estate game? Then contact me, Shannon Milligan, at Home Sweet Henrico today! I have my game face on!
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