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The real estate market is most active during the spring season, therefore potential sellers are in a good position during this time of year. Since first impressions are often the only impression you get to make, it is imperative to prepare for interested buyers ahead of time. Here are four things you can do to impress buyers.
1. Clean up outside.
Curb appeal is a huge factor in deciding to buy a home. Sellers often forget that showing a usable outdoor space is just as important as staging the inside.
• Repair and repaint the front door, add a welcome mat where appropriate
• Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and plant flowers
• Touch up the exterior paint
• Straighten the mailbox and address numbers
• Make sure all lights having working bulbs, both inside and out
If visitors get a warm feeling upon entry and exit, it could improve their perception of the whole house.
2. Declutter and remove personal belongings.
Anything personal should be packed away before you show the house. When potential buyers view the home, they should picture themselves living there.
Box up all your books, knick-knacks and counter items. Anything used on a daily basis should go in a closet when not in use.
Removing some furniture also helps. A bright, airy space gives the impression that the house is open and welcoming for new homeowners to move in.
3. Clean, then clean again.
Now it’s time for a deep clean, and we mean a deep clean—this is a “scrub the walls and baseboards” kind of clean. You can do it yourself or hire a service, either way your home should look ready to move into.
Pay extra attention to lighting. The windows should let in as much light as possible, glass and light fixtures should be crystal clear. Scrub the countertops and make sure mirrors sparkle, they make the space look larger.
Floors should be spotless no matter the material. Hard surfaces should be mopped at the end of every day and carpets should be steam-cleaned, with any stains spot-treated.
4. Minor repairs.
Paint the walls and trim in high-traffic areas (front entrance, hallways, stairwells) to remove gashes and marks. Replace old or rusty fixtures such as lights, switch and outlet plates, doorknobs and other hardware. Freshening up the caulk and grout in the bathroom is also a good idea.
In particular, look over the kitchen and bathrooms for other things you can clean or change out for new. These are the most desirable areas of the home and it is crucial that they show well.
Once your home has been prepared for sale, the most important job is finding the right real estate agent to represent you. At the Chell Team, we have knowledge of the market, a strong marketing plan, and years of experience qualifying buyers and negotiating offers.
It is never too early to get your home ready for the spring market! Find out how we at the Chell Team work with our sellers.
Contact Susan, Patti or Sarah at 613- 829-7484 for your free home evaluation.