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Now that you’ve decided to put your house on the market, you have to make it presentable and welcoming for potential buyers. Even if your home is already in good condition, a few tweaks and tricks can help make it even more appealing. The idea is to maximize its buying potential. Here are a few tips on how to get your house ready to sell.
1. Paint
Bright colors are fun, but they can turn off many potential buyers due to their loud and distracting nature. It’s a good idea to paint the rooms in your house neutral colors. Think beiges, whites, and greys. An easy way to get your house ready to sell is a subtle color palette change that allows people to focus on the space itself instead of drawing their attention solely to the walls. An added bonus: Painting is one of the best investments you can make in a home.
2. Maximize curb appeal
When you’re getting your house ready to sell, don’t forget that the outside is just as important as the interior! A buyer’s first impression of the house is a key moment that can influence their overall perception of the home. Landscaping projects can easily improve your curb appeal, but don’t assume pricier projects are better. Instead, your most valuable investment may be basic lawn care.
3. Set the right asking price
It’s important to be sure you’re pricing your home correctly. If you underestimate the value, you could leave money on the table. But if your price is too high, your home may sit on the market longer than you’d like. This can also influence any budget you’ll need to get your house ready to sell.
4. Keep it simple
You want people to be able to imagine themselves living in your home, so keeping it open and uncluttered is key. Throw a slipcover over your trendy patterned couch or put your eclectic art into storage. Tone down the spaces in your house that reflect your unique style and personality. It’s also best to stash away anything personal, like family pictures or kids’ artwork, when getting your house ready to sell.
5. Lighten up
Brighten up your house by letting natural light in through windows and turning lights on in every room. That means ditching dark curtains and blinds and possibly adding floor lights and table lamps. If you’ve got a nice light fixture, it’s also a chance to draw buyers’ eyes to it.
6. Clean up
It’s a good idea to deep clean before inviting anyone into your home for a showing. Polish fixtures, clean carpets, and make windows crystal clear. Remember, whether it’s a showing for appraisers, an agent, or buyers, you want your home to look its best!
7. Make little fixes
Now is also the time to get around to all of those small things that you’ve been putting off. Fix that leaky faucet, oil up those creaky door hinges, or paint over those scuffs on the wall. Potential buyers will notice these things if you don’t fix them as you get your house ready to sell. Plus, wear and tear could raise red flags about poor home maintenance.
8. Think about a pre-inspection
Having your home inspected before you put it on the market could spare you a lost sale due to an unexpected repair. You’ll be one step ahead of a buyer’s inspector or an appraiser to fix it. Additionally, if anything expensive pops up, you’ll have time to get an estimate. This could help you negotiate the repair with a buyer, if needed.
9. Organize and de-clutter
Creating space goes hand in hand with creating storage. It’s great to let potential buyers know that your home will have plenty of room for all of their stuff, too. Store away items you don’t need and put the rest into organized boxes with dividers to keep your house (and upcoming move) neat and organized.
10. Create focal points
Think about showing off your home’s best assets when determining how to get your house ready to sell. The trick is to draw homebuyers’ attention to the best parts of any room. Do this by adding a pop of color or a fun accent, like throw pillows on a window seat or some candles on top of a fireplace.
