“Because first impressions mean a lot…”
Cleaning and sprucing up your home shouldn’t be underestimated if you want to sell your home quick and for top dollar. You’d want buyers to turn up and see the home, not just to drive past it. You can ensure they’ll do by accomplishing these tasks:
Decluttering will make sure that when buyers visit your home, they will be able to focus on its features instead of seeing all the junk and knickknacks. Clean and organized closets, cabinets, and drawers are good signals for buyers who will be checking every storage space available.
Likewise, if you want to take certain fixtures and built-in appliances with you, now’s the time to remove them. If that stunning chandelier is a family heirloom, simply take it down and replace it with an understated piece.
Pressure-wash the home’s exterior and the sidewalk.
Polish the counters, faucets, mirrors, and other surfaces.
Clean and scrub the bathroom, mop the floors, and clean the rugs and carpets.
Also, make sure to tackle all nooks and crannies, even the hard-to-reach surfaces behind closets and cupboards. Ensuring that your home is as clean as possible might not be fun, but it will make things a lot easier for you when showings start.
These are all the basic updates you might be able to handle yourself:
Fix broken windows and damaged window screens.
Repair loose cabinets, locks, handles, and doors that don’t close properly.
Fix any leaky faucets.
Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
Patch any holes in the wall.
Fix chips or cracks in paint.
Consider painting your walls in neutral colors, especially if they’re currently in a screaming red or purple.
Give your front door a fresh lick of paint.
Fix and straighten up broken fences and the mailbox.
Further, this is also the time to note any major repairs and start looking into your options. Major home improvement projects such as re-doing an entire roof, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, and updating insulation definitely won’t come cheap, but they can significantly add value to your home.
“When you hire people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are.” – Henry Ford
Do some research on who has some good track record and is highly knowledgeable about your specific market. Moreso, choose an agent who could be a friend in this stressful situation but also has a concrete plan on how he or she will sell your home. Set clear expectations with your agent about your goals so that you know exactly what to anticipate, especially when showing requests start.
