Whether you have outgrown your home or simply need a change, listing your home for sale is a big decision to make. Before your home is portrayed in local real estate listings with “for sale” phrasing and a price, be sure to get your home prepared. Here are five good tips to help you along.
1. Declutter
Professionals who handle staging a home before showing it to prospective buyers say that decluttering helps by:
- Making the house appear roomier
- Keeping prospects from feeling distracted
- Opening up room for visualization
If your home is brimming with belongings, prospects may not only have a hard time seeing the potential of the house, but they may also find it challenging to envision the home as their own.
2. Depersonalize
You don’t have to strip the home of everything that belongs to you necessarily, but it can be a good idea to pull out highly personal items. For example, family photos are highly personal belongings, and pet supplies are not something every prospective buyer would have in their home. In a sense, you want to make the house look lived-in and livable, but in a way that is open to interpretation. Perhaps neutral art prints could take the place of large family photos, for instance.
3. Decorate
To give the house a more home-like appearance, do take the initiative to do some interior decorating. Again, minimalistic is vital, and opt for neutrality as much as possible. Try removing everything from the bedrooms except for the most critical pieces of furniture and adding a few decorative elements, such as a vase of flowers on the dresser, some complimentary throw pillows, and a figurine perched on a nightstand.
4. Distinguish
Every home has its unique selling points or points that are bound to capture the attention of a prospective buyer. A few examples could be:
- A large picture window in the dining or living room
- A recently remodeled master bathroom
- A picturesque stairway
- A lovely outdoor living space
Take a good, critical look at your home. First, consider the aspects a buyer could find most desirable and then truly distinguish those areas. For instance, if you are sure the stairway will be a significant selling point, put a little extra effort into making that area as attractive as possible.
5. Determine
What in and around the house could be a turnoff in the eyes of a buyer? While you may not have the funds to fix every flaw or problem, taking steps to improve or correct any significant problems will always mean you see better results when you list the house for sale. First, determine what problems could be most hindering. Maybe you have a few rooms that desperately need to be painted or carpet in one area that should be cleaned. Odd paint colors and dirty rugs happen to be two of the biggest turnoffs for home buyers.
Sold! Need Help with the Move?
With the best dedication to preparing your home before you list it on the market, you will likely be ready to move in no time at all. However, when your home sells and you are making your way to your new place, be sure to reach out to residential movers who can help you with the transition.