Preparing to Sell

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You’ve invested time & money into your home and now it’s time to sell. What can you do to get the most out of your hard work and investment?

Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls and the rattles in the furnace doesn’t mean a buyer will too. Many buyers are looking for a property they can move right into and that they feel has been well-cared for. Loose door knobs, windows that stick, outdated paint, curling shingles…the list could go on. These are just a few of the items to look at repairing before you put a home on the market. We can help you take a detailed look at things you can do to your home to make it more appealing and safe when preparing for a move.

Neutralize. You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. De-cluttering, painting and updating flooring will go a long way in making a future buyer feel this is a place they could fit in. Some family photos are ok, but too many makes it hard for a buyer to see this as their house and not yours. We tell sellers, “once you list it, it’s really not your house anymore!” Harsh, maybe…but the goal is to get someone else to picture themselves there and want to move in right away!

Stage. Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and décor touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps and towels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a little mascara and rouge—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup.

We have some good design ‘eyes’ on our team, and also have relationships with great professional designers & stagers, so would love to give you a to-do list to make your home really stand out. When you’re ready to prepare for selling, give us a shout.