We’ve shared on our social media before that we have lots of buyers and are in need of sellers! It definitely is a great time to put your house on the market now than it has been in a while. Lots of potential buyers are on the prowl and selling your home could be a breeze as long as you make sure it is tip-top condition and up to these standards.
Take care of the exterior. If the exterior of your home looks old and worn, it could turn away potential buyers before they even step inside your home. Cleaning the gutters, pressure washing your siding, fixing your roof or even completely changing the exterior of your home all together could be a good idea. If you feel confident in the way the home looks, make the front door inviting by adding a plant or wreath, paint it with a fresh coat of paint, lay down a new welcome mat and even update the house numbers so that it is easily visible from the street.
Then take care of the landscaping. Believe it or not, today's buyers are really into finding homes with nice landscaping. It is known that full trees and bushes take time - so if your home already comes with well maintained and established landscaping, it is a huge win in the buyer's eyes. Once the snow is melted, make sure that your landscaping is taken care of.
Declutter, depersonalize & organize. If you are selling your home, you most likely will have some interested buyers coming inside for a tour. Save yourself the stress of rushing to get things tidy by having it already done before your house even becomes listed. Remove all the clutter from your home and depersonalize it. By taking away the family photos and your personal knickknacks and belongings, buyers will have an easier time imagining the space to be their own. When it comes to all the drawers, cupboards and closets in your home, get them in shape now so that your home also doesn’t come across as a disaster.
Deep clean. This should go without saying, but sometimes sellers don’t realize the importance of deep cleaning a home is before putting it on the market. Make everything shine from the floors, baseboards, countertops to the ceiling. Buyers really will take notice and will be well worth your time.
Neutral colors. Do you have a bright red dining room? A sky blue bedroom? It may be a good idea to get rid of these intense colors with something more neutral like white or light grey. Today's buyers like the more minimalist approach to decorating, and selling a home with already painted walls is a huge plus.
Finish the honey-do list. You know those little nagging repairs that need to be done all around the home that you keep putting off? Well, if you are selling your home, NOW is the time to finally do them. Fix the creaking noise that your front door makes, get the roof fixed if it has been leaking, stop the window drafts and buff any scratches on the walls or doors. It is a huge disadvantage for sellers who are trying to sell a home with lots of lingering repairs.
Are you wondering what inside your home is worth repairing or replacing just based on resale value? We have seen it all and can tell you from experience that things like the following are worth the time and money before you list:
Light fixtures - are the light fixtures in your home the originals? If they look very outdated, adding something new to the mix could be a great display for your home
Updated kitchen appliances - again, another thing that buyers would definitely be persuaded by if your home came with brand new and nice appliances
New carpeting or flooring - luxury vinyl planking is very popular and in-demand due to its high durability and is waterproof. Buyers still tend to like carpeting in the bedrooms.