Even in a sluggish market, when it comes to first impressions, a little cleaning, organizing, and home preparation can pay off big. Maximize your investment by knowing what improvements buyers value most.
Look at the house through the buyer's eyes. Your personal collections and photographs will distract the buyer from really looking at the rooms and space you are selling. Clear out the clutter - but keep your rooms looking "homey."
Eliminate odors. Air out the home and place some lightly scented candles in strategic locations. You can turn off the sale before the buyer even enters the house when they can’t "see past their nose."
Clean it and fix it. Find out what's wrong with the house and get it fixed. Don't wait until that serious buyer finds faulty wiring or a termite problem and then pulls the plug on the deal. Be proactive.
Develop a selling strategy. Don't just put an ad on Craigs List or stick a sign in the ground and call it a day. Selling your home requires a well thought-out plan with accurate pricing, targeted improvements and focused marketing and exposure.
Hire the pros. A well-connected real estate agent with a proven track record is always a good investment. Name recognition is important, and the Realtors of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers® have all the right resources to get your home sold.
Help a buyer buy it. Offer incentives that put money in the buyer's pocket, such as buying down the interest rate, absorbing more of the closing costs or offering seller financing.
Be flexible. Consider renting your house out until you find a buyer. Or offer a lease option to a motivated buyer who doesn't have enough cash to buy a home outright.
Make the house move-in ready. Make the furniture, flat-screen TV, washer/dryer, appliances, backyard jacuzzi AND the kitchen sink available if the buyer is interested. The less a buyer has to shell out to furnish the house, the higher the perceived value.
Give it a simple "face lift". Add value - don't go overboard with big renovations. But if hardwood floors are the norm in your neighborhood, consider replacing your carpet with flooring like popular bamboo wood. And a little paint can work wonders!
Dress your house for success. Study the secrets of staging experts, or hire one. Staging can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint, new hardware and strategically-placed lighting. Think of it as a creative, inexpensive facelift for your home.
Put the power and experience of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokererage
Realtors® behind your next home sale!
Call Judy at 623.451.5527 or Meredith at 623.451.8795 Today!
Meredith Flinn: 623.451.8795