Preparing Your House for Sale
When preparing your house for sale , the most important thing to remember is that it is no longer yours. Its success will depend not on your affection for it but upon its ability to appear desirable . Although presentation -- called "staging" by professionals -- is a bit of an art, there are methods a seller can use to give a house an edge.
FIX everything that is broken, and clean everything that is dirty .
CLEAN the walls and carpets, dust everywhere, fix every leak and squeak, power wash the walkways, keep the lawn mowed, and replace the bulbs.
Once the house is clean, the staging can begin .
MAKE the house feel "livable" without feeling "lived in."
It is common to think that a personal flourish will make the buyer feel at home, but it is more likely to make them feel as if they are making themselves at home -- that is, in someone else's house.
REMOVE anything that suggests a specific family : pictures of relatives, homely kindergarten pottery, refrigerator magnets, or height notches on the kitchen doorway. Take the books off the shelves and put the toys away . If you have too many things you are not ready to part with, rent a storage unit. You will get back what you spend.
GET rid of excess furniture . The less full a room is, the bigger it will feel. (Only architects actually think in square feet.) Leave just enough to suggest the room's function -- a dining room table, or a couch and a coffee table, a bed and a toy chest.
(Never leave a room, even a closet, entirely empty.)
To each of these idealized spaces you will want to add a few touches. The idea is that you are trying to "fill" a room with as little as possible. This might seem paradoxical, but therein lies the art. A bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter can help create a mood. Clean, matching towels and a fresh bar of soap in a nice dish can make a bathroom. A study might benefit from a elegant pen laid across a plain black notebook.
The difference between a good and a great
presentation will ultimately translate into a higher price .
Tip 1:
Presentation is everything! Focus on reorganizing areas that frequently accumulate clutter. Organize shelves and clean out closets by removing unused or excessive items. Closet space is a big selling point so maximize it by keeping belongings neat and organized.
Tip 2:
Let the sun in! Be sure you're taking advantage of as much natural light as possible. Replace dark curtains or keep them open during an open house. Remember, light from a window overlooking the backyard gives the room a perception of more color and space and it shows off the view.
Tip 3:
Color and paint give a room personality, but each individual has their own preference. Your personal color palette might not speak positively to every potential buyer. Bold colors tend to distract the consumer from seeing the full potential of a room. When getting your home sell ready, consider painting walls in a neutral tone. A neutral canvas will help the buyer envision their own color palette.
Tip 4:
Space, space and more space! Whether a buyer is looking for a condo or colonial, floor space is always at the top of mind. Maximize floor space by removing oversized furniture. Large scale furniture reduces the appearance of floor space and obstructs a buyer's view of a room. Rearrange the furniture in a way that provides a clear and open path from room to room. Also, refrain from placing furniture in front of windows or in areas buyers will likely explore.
Tip 5:
Less is more! When preparing your home for sale or an open house, minimize the amount of personal items that are on display. Excessive personal photos, trinkets and memorabilia will distract a buyer. Remember, the goal is to provide an environment where the buyers can picture themselves in the home for years to come.
Tip 6:
Keep the dog in the doghouse! A dog might very well be man's best friend but your pet could be viewed as the enemy to some buyers. Consider keeping pets outdoors or taking them to the park during an open house. Pets can be a distraction and prevent buyers from comfortably exploring the home.
Tip 7:
Appeal starts at the curb! A buyer's first impression forms before the front entrance. Spend a few dollars sprucing up the front yard. Remove unsightly shrubs and weeds, paint fences and touch up weathered paint on the face of the house. Grace the front walkway and entrance with fresh flowers to help provide a pleasant and aromatic experience.
When preparing your house for sale , the most important thing to remember is that it is no longer yours. Its success will depend not on your affection for it but upon its ability to appear desirable . Although presentation -- called "staging" by professionals -- is a bit of an art, there are methods a seller can use to give a house an edge.
FIX everything that is broken, and clean everything that is dirty .
CLEAN the walls and carpets, dust everywhere, fix every leak and squeak, power wash the walkways, keep the lawn mowed, and replace the bulbs.
Once the house is clean, the staging can begin .
MAKE the house feel "livable" without feeling "lived in."
It is common to think that a personal flourish will make the buyer feel at home, but it is more likely to make them feel as if they are making themselves at home -- that is, in someone else's house.
REMOVE anything that suggests a specific family : pictures of relatives, homely kindergarten pottery, refrigerator magnets, or height notches on the kitchen doorway. Take the books off the shelves and put the toys away . If you have too many things you are not ready to part with, rent a storage unit. You will get back what you spend.
GET rid of excess furniture . The less full a room is, the bigger it will feel. (Only architects actually think in square feet.) Leave just enough to suggest the room's function -- a dining room table, or a couch and a coffee table, a bed and a toy chest.
(Never leave a room, even a closet, entirely empty.)
To each of these idealized spaces you will want to add a few touches. The idea is that you are trying to "fill" a room with as little as possible. This might seem paradoxical, but therein lies the art. A bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter can help create a mood. Clean, matching towels and a fresh bar of soap in a nice dish can make a bathroom. A study might benefit from a elegant pen laid across a plain black notebook.
The difference between a good and a great
presentation will ultimately translate into a higher price .
Tip 1:
Presentation is everything! Focus on reorganizing areas that frequently accumulate clutter. Organize shelves and clean out closets by removing unused or excessive items. Closet space is a big selling point so maximize it by keeping belongings neat and organized.
Tip 2:
Let the sun in! Be sure you're taking advantage of as much natural light as possible. Replace dark curtains or keep them open during an open house. Remember, light from a window overlooking the backyard gives the room a perception of more color and space and it shows off the view.
Tip 3:
Color and paint give a room personality, but each individual has their own preference. Your personal color palette might not speak positively to every potential buyer. Bold colors tend to distract the consumer from seeing the full potential of a room. When getting your home sell ready, consider painting walls in a neutral tone. A neutral canvas will help the buyer envision their own color palette.
Tip 4:
Space, space and more space! Whether a buyer is looking for a condo or colonial, floor space is always at the top of mind. Maximize floor space by removing oversized furniture. Large scale furniture reduces the appearance of floor space and obstructs a buyer's view of a room. Rearrange the furniture in a way that provides a clear and open path from room to room. Also, refrain from placing furniture in front of windows or in areas buyers will likely explore.
Tip 5:
Less is more! When preparing your home for sale or an open house, minimize the amount of personal items that are on display. Excessive personal photos, trinkets and memorabilia will distract a buyer. Remember, the goal is to provide an environment where the buyers can picture themselves in the home for years to come.
Tip 6:
Keep the dog in the doghouse! A dog might very well be man's best friend but your pet could be viewed as the enemy to some buyers. Consider keeping pets outdoors or taking them to the park during an open house. Pets can be a distraction and prevent buyers from comfortably exploring the home.
Tip 7:
Appeal starts at the curb! A buyer's first impression forms before the front entrance. Spend a few dollars sprucing up the front yard. Remove unsightly shrubs and weeds, paint fences and touch up weathered paint on the face of the house. Grace the front walkway and entrance with fresh flowers to help provide a pleasant and aromatic experience.
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