How to sell your home in Palm Coast Florida, faster and with less stress.
Lets start with these six steps.
- Repairing
- Cleaning
- Neutralizing
- Space Management
- Atmosphere
- Staging
Repairs: If it needs fixed, than fix it. Through time there are items needing attention but you have probably learned to live with them. If you are expecting to sell your house these items need fixed now not later. A potential buyer will see one item needing repair as a long possible list of more items needing repair. As a buyer starts seeing needed repairs he also sees extra money he will need to spend after purchasing your home if the buyer is even still interested. So repairs left undone equals lower offering price and/or buyers who walk away. A small repair to a buyer says if the seller is offering their home for sale not willing to fix the small stuff, they most likely haven’t maintained the large stuff.
Cleaning: Every area of the home must sparkle and shine. Each hour spent will be worth it. We all live in our homes, but right now if we keep it clean that next showing might be the buyer and than we can go back to living normally. Clean all windows, inside and outside. Clean all wall to wall carpeting and area rugs. Clean and polish linoleum, tile and wooden floors. Clean and polish all woodwork, paying attention to the kitchen and bath cabinets. Clean and polish all light fixtures and faucets.
Neutralizing: If you are planning on painting or replacing carpet, be cautious of color choice. When picking colors your home must appeal to the largest possible buying segment. Potential buyers have to be able to picture your home as their home with their furniture. So wall and floor colors being neutral create more chance of matching their furnishing. Cover over any bold colors with a couple coats of white paint, consider it money well spent.
Space Management: Arrange furniture to give the rooms as spacious a feeling as possible. Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowed. Consider renting a storage shed for large items and that extra clutter. Pack up collectibles to give your rooms a more spacious feel. Have just enough accessories to leave a personal touch. Make it a habit to pick up all clothing, shoes and personal possessions each day to keep your house in show ready condition. Empty off season clothing items from closets and send to storage. Even closet space needs to look organized to show efficient use of space. Lights create volume open drapes and turn on all lights, replace lights bulbs that are burnt out.
Atmosphere: There needs to be a feeling of shelter, a safe place, warm and in good condition. This one is big, SMELL. A clean smelling house can create a positive image in the buyers mind. Be aware of any odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets etc., that may have adverse effects on potential buyers. Remember everyone’s sensitivities to odors differ. Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable dog odor. Work on removing the source of the smell instead of trying to cover it up. Not everyone enjoys air fresheners and many assume they are for covering up an odor. Unfortunately, often the only way to remove the smell of pet urine from flooring is to rip up the carpeting and padding, and replace them. If this is preventing the sale of your home, don’t hesitate to make this investment. If cooking and smoking odors have permeated your home, have your carpets and furniture cleaned, and air out or dry clean your drapes. Control mildew odors by not allowing wet towels to accumulate or dirty laundry to pile up in closets. Studies show human positive response to cinnamon, fresh flowers and baking bread.
Staging: Prepare your home to look pleasant and roomy. Although your family pictures are nice, new buyers need to see this as their home. Study magazine ads and furniture showrooms to see how small details can make rooms more attractive and appealing. Add some lamps in darker areas of the home. Visit some new construction model homes to get some great staging ideas and watch HGTV. Keep in mind the first thing a buyer sees is the front of your home. Lawn should be mowed and edged, bushes should be trimmed. The driveway should be free of bikes, toys or any other clutter.
Easy steps fix, clean, neutralize, unclutter, great atmosphere, stage and most important step:
Written by Andrew Huff