ALEXANDRIA, VA, Feb 10, 2011 – If you think you’re ready to put your home on the market, you may need to think again. Many sellers sometimes overlook certain aspects of the selling process that may facilitate their ability to sell. By spending some time to prepare your home for the process, you can entice buyers and bids and quickly sell your home.
The outside of the home is a perfect place to start. “The first thing a prospective buyer sees is the outside of the home. Having a clean exterior with plenty of curb appeal is imperative in any sort of market,” says Todd Hetherington, CEO of Century 21 New Millennium. Consider power washing the outside of the home for a fresh shine. Clean any rain gutters as well as outside windows and screens.
“Sellers may even want to update their front door to give it an inviting feel,” says Hetherington. “A new coat of paint or updated lighting fixtures could really brighten up the front of the home.” New house numbers are also a good idea, adding to the new, fresh look of the home’s exterior. Just make sure those numbers are viewable from the curb.
When moving to the indoors, eliminating half of your belongings could help de-clutter the home. “By making each room look extremely tidy, you are continuing your efforts to put your best foot forward,” says Hetherington. Rent a storage unit or ask a friend to borrow some garage space. The less clutter you have in your home, the better it looks to those viewing it. And don’t forget to organize items stored in closets — buyers will definitely look there!
Make any necessary repairs if you know of any requiring attention. A pre-inspection might also be a good idea. “Sellers with homes that have already been pre-inspected and fully repaired have a powerful vantage point,” says Hetherington. “Buyers will see the home in good condition and they will positively respond to that.” A pre-inspection guarantees that they won’t be buying into any problems or headaches in the foreseeable future.
Properly staging your home could also go a long way. De-personalize the home and rearrange the furniture to make every room appear as large as possible. Use neutral colors whenever possible and remove any posters or artwork that may be hanging. With a well-staged appearance, potential buyers will hopefully be able to see themselves living their new life in your home.
When selling your house, don’t simply rush to market — prepare. “By taking some time to prep your home, you will be able to capitalize on all of the advantages your property has to offer,” says Hetherington.
For more information on properly preparing your home for sale, please contact us at move@c21nm.com, 800-382-1101 or Century 21 New Millennium.