Ten Tips for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Are you getting ready to list your home? There are some very simple steps you can take to get your home market ready - and most are very affordable (if not free!).

1. One of the easiest and most affordable things to do is to start with a deep clean inside. Before listing your home, give it a thorough cleaning, including the floors, baseboards, and especially high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens. If you have pets - try to keep mindful of potential lingering odors.

2. Boost your curb appeal. First impressions matter. Make sure your home's exterior looks attractive and well-maintained. Trim any overgrown hedges or trees that may be blocking the view of the home. Clean up walkways. Try adding some plants or flowers to make your home more inviting. You can also consider adding new house numbers or painting the front door.

Interestingly, a recent Zillow study showed that there were two shades of paint for front doors that were lucrative to prospective buyers and two that seemed to dissuade them. Slate Blue and Black actually triggered higher sale prices, while Pale Pink and Cement Gray did just the opposite.

"If you’re looking for the best color to paint the front door for resale, seriously consider black. Yes, the most polarizing color also has the potential to nab a higher resale price for a home. If you were to paint your front door black, the right buyer could be willing to pay $6,449 more than the typical U.S. home value," Zillow.com

3. Declutter and depersonalize. Remove any items that are overly personal, like family photos, religious artifacts, or anything political. Also remove excess furniture, knick-knacks, and any unusual decor items. This will help potential buyers see themselves living in the home.

This Realtor.com article has some great ideas on how to empty out your home before an Open House.

4. Show off the storage! Buyers are always looking for more storage space. Make sure your closets and cabinets are organized and as empty as possible. It will make them look bigger - and in this case, bigger is better!

5. Make sure to take care of any minor repairs: leaky faucets, missing cabinet knobs, cracked tiles, broken windows, damaged walls, and broken appliances. Small repairs can go a long way in making your home more attractive to buyers. It also makes it look like you took good care of your home.

6. Freshen up the paint. If you have the time and budget, think about giving your walls a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors are best. While you may love bright colors, potential buyers may not. According to a BHG.com article “Paint has the power to completely transform a room, and compared to other home remodeling projects, it's a relatively quick and inexpensive update.”

7. Add or improve lighting. Make sure your home is well lit and consider replacing any outdated light fixtures. Natural light is known to boost productivity, to reduce stress and anxiety, and according to Foyr.com , "homes with ample natural light tend to have a higher value as they are preferred not just because of the availability of light but also because they give the illusion of more space."

8. Price it right. Do your research to ensure you are pricing your home correctly. Pricing it too high can turn off potential buyers. A realistic price will attract more potential buyers and increase the chances of a quicker sale.

9. Be flexible with showings and make it easy for potential buyers to view your home.

10. Work with a realtor. Studies show that on average homes listed with an agent sell more quickly for a higher price. Contact me if you would like a free market analysis of your home!