In today’s market, it is challenging to sell a house or any other piece of real estate. Also, the longer a home sits on the market, the less likely it is to attract viewers and offers, as people will wonder what’s wrong with it.
Most buyers are looking for bargains in the basement, while sellers need to get the best possible price to make it worth selling. If you are going to try to sell a house right now, you have to realize that it is a buyer’s market. But there are things you can do to increase your chances of getting reasonable offers. These home selling tips hold true in any economy, but need extra emphasis in today’s economic climate.
Beyond the importance of your home’s design and solid structural elements, the next biggest selling point of your home lies in its aesthetics.
A clean and well-maintained property can make your home memorable in the eyes of a buyer. The fact is, people are looking at more homes before making a decision, and you want your home to stay top of mind with prospective buyers.
The first impression of any house is the patio and the exterior. Mow your lawn, trim bushes and trees, and pull up unsightly weeds. The last thing you want is for a potential buyer to walk away before seeing the inside of your home because the exterior landscaping is a mess.
Fix up the exterior and make it look neat: This sends the message to buyers that you care about your home and are more likely to have kept up with the repairs. Speaking of repairs, when was the last time you painted the outside or pressure washed the siding or cleaned the glass in the windows? Peeling paint on the trim is unsightly and is easily cured with a fresh coat. Finally, put things away outside.
Inside, get to work on a deep clean. This doesn’t mean doing your regular cleaning once a week, but breaking out the big guns and cleaning every inch of your home. Do anything that can shine dazzlingly, have your tiles professionally washed and your carpets steam cleaned.
If you’ve been experimenting with paint colors on your interior walls, then consider repainting a neutral color like white, and this will also give your home an extra new feel. Buyers tend to think about how much work they will have to do when they move in, and not having to immediately redecorate because they can live with the colors for a while will be viewed positively.
As with the exterior, keep your interior clean as well. A place for everything and everything in its place is a cliché that is worth remembering before showing your house. Most houses have odors and a few well placed odor eliminator accessories will go a long way in making the house smell presentable. Just don’t go overboard with sweet scented candles everywhere, as shoppers will wonder what you’re trying to hide.
The goal behind these tips is to show your home’s potential to a prospective buyer by seeing it in the best possible light when viewing it. This will make it memorable and more likely to appear at the top by remembering the homes they viewed and will help get you onto your shortlist and ultimately a fair offer.
