Appearance is so critical that it would be unwise to ignore this when selling your home. The look and "feel" of your home will generate a greater emotional response than any other factor. Prospective buyers react to what they see, hear, feel, and smell even though you may have priced your home to sell.
Invite the Honest Opinions of Others.
The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to rely solely on your own judgment. Don't be shy about seeking the honest opinions of others. You need to be objective about your home's good points as well as bad. Fortunately, your Realtor® will be unabashed about discussing what should be done to make your home more marketable.
Get it Spic n' Span Clean and Fix Everything, Even If It Seems Insignificant.
Scrub, scour, tidy up, straighten, get rid of the clutter, declare war on dust, repair squeaks, the light switch that doesn't work, and the tiny crack in the bathroom mirror because these can be deal-killers and you'll never know what turns buyers off. Remember, you're not just competing with other resale homes, but brand-new ones as well.
Current homeowners: if you anticipate selling within the next few years, the time to begin minor repairs is now! Save yourself time and aggravation by addressing small problems as they arise, rather than waiting and spending a lot of effort and money in the short time before you sell.
Allow Prospective Buyers to Visualize Themselves in Your Home.
The last thing you want prospective buyers to feel when viewing your home is that they may be intruding into someone's life. Avoid clutter such as too many knick-knacks, etc. Decorate in neutral colors, like white or beige and place a few carefully chosen items to add warmth and character. You can enhance the attractiveness of your home with a well-placed vase of flowers or potpourri in the bathroom. Home-decor magazines are great for tips.
Deal Killer Odors - Must Go!
You may not realize it, but odd smells like traces of food, pets and smoking odors can kill deals quickly. If prospective buyers know you have a dog, or that you smoke, they'll start being aware of odors and seeing stains that may not even exist. Don't leave any clues.
Is your house someone else's idea of a dream home? When buyers enter are they inspired?
Do they think, "I love this house!" Remember, the decision to buy a home is based on emotion, not logic. A house in move-in condition invites a sale. You'll need to consider:
Fixing all the little squeaks and cracks
Keeping it clean for all showings
Making it uncluttered
Brightening it up
What your home shows like from the street concentrating on outside curb appeal.
Plus, consider taking care of major items, such as having your home painted. Offering an allowance to your prospective buyers, so they can have painting completed is not the same as having it done for them. Now, as they're trying to imagine what that new paint job will look like, they may also be discounting the price even further because of the less-than-perfect look of those walls.
Remember...
A house that presents well, sells for the best price because it outshines the competition. Ask your agent if they can arrange a no-obligation inspection of your home to help you assess the above.
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Appearances Do Matter - Make them Count!
Appearance is so critical that it would be unwise to ignore this when selling your home. The look and "feel" of your home will generate a greater emotional response than any other factor. Prospective buyers react to what they see, hear, feel, and smell even though you may have priced your home to sell.
Invite the Honest Opinions of Others.
The biggest mistake you can make at this point is to rely solely on your own judgment. Don't be shy about seeking the honest opinions of others. You need to be objective about your home's good points as well as bad. Fortunately, your Realtor® will be unabashed about discussing what should be done to make your home more marketable.
Get it Spic n' Span Clean and Fix Everything, Even If It Seems Insignificant.
Scrub, scour, tidy up, straighten, get rid of the clutter, declare war on dust, repair squeaks, the light switch that doesn't work, and the tiny crack in the bathroom mirror because these can be deal-killers and you'll never know what turns buyers off. Remember, you're not just competing with other resale homes, but brand-new ones as well.
Current homeowners: if you anticipate selling within the next few years, the time to begin minor repairs is now! Save yourself time and aggravation by addressing small problems as they arise, rather than waiting and spending a lot of effort and money in the short time before you sell.
Allow Prospective Buyers to Visualize Themselves in Your Home.
The last thing you want prospective buyers to feel when viewing your home is that they may be intruding into someone's life. Avoid clutter such as too many knick-knacks, etc. Decorate in neutral colors, like white or beige and place a few carefully chosen items to add warmth and character. You can enhance the attractiveness of your home with a well-placed vase of flowers or potpourri in the bathroom. Home-decor magazines are great for tips.
Deal Killer Odors - Must Go!
You may not realize it, but odd smells like traces of food, pets and smoking odors can kill deals quickly. If prospective buyers know you have a dog, or that you smoke, they'll start being aware of odors and seeing stains that may not even exist. Don't leave any clues.
Is your house someone else's idea of a dream home? When buyers enter are they inspired?
Do they think, "I love this house!" Remember, the decision to buy a home is based on emotion, not logic. A house in move-in condition invites a sale. You'll need to consider:
What your home shows like from the street concentrating on outside curb appeal.
Plus, consider taking care of major items, such as having your home painted. Offering an allowance to your prospective buyers, so they can have painting completed is not the same as having it done for them. Now, as they're trying to imagine what that new paint job will look like, they may also be discounting the price even further because of the less-than-perfect look of those walls.
Remember...
A house that presents well, sells for the best price because it outshines the competition. Ask your agent if they can arrange a no-obligation inspection of your home to help you assess the above.