Just like us, your home only gets one chance to make a first impression on prospective buyers. Here’s five expert tips for making sure your house stands out from all the others.
Expert tip #1: Optimize Curb Appeal, which can be defined as the attractiveness of a property when viewed from the street. According to a joint study by the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington, homes with high curb appeal sell for an average of 7% more than similar homes with an uninviting exterior. Homes lose curb appeal if the concrete is filthy and broken, if the siding is soiled, if the roof is stained, and if the landscaping is unkempt. It is well worth the small investment to hire a professional landscaper and professional power washing company to come in and service the property prior to listing it for sale.
Expert tip #2: Depersonalize Your Home by putting away the majority of framed photos and personal items such as equipment, photo albums, and toys throughout the home. Leave a few nice, framed photos around the house to make the home appear inviting and lived in. The last thing you want is for prospective buyers to step into a cluttered house, so this is also a call to get rid of unneeded objects. Consider taking a trip to your local thrift store with a load of donations.
Expert tip #3: Deep Clean Your House! Foul smells, dirty floors, dusty surfaces make send a negative message to a potential buyer. The message they hear is “this home has not been taken care of”. Not only does a deep clean mean cleaning toilets, wiping down surfaces, mopping floors, cleaning rugs and scrubbing bathrooms, it means cleaning furniture, carpets, and other fabrics in the house which often hides subtle odors and soils which can leave a negative impression on a potential buyer. Again, it is a good idea to have a professional come in and do the job right. Shameless plug- we can help. Check us out at www.cushioncleaning.com!
Expert tip #4: Listen to Your Space. The first words that came out of one perspective buyer’s mouth when he walked into my house was, “What is that sound?” Although we had gotten used to it, there was a steady clicking sound coming from underneath our refrigerator, disturbing the peace of the space and rattling the prospects. Strange sounds inside your house can give people the impression that there could be something wrong with the electrical or plumbing systems, creating a sense of unease about the property and causing the buyer to become hesitant about making an offer. Before allowing people into your home, take inventory of an unwelcoming sounds which may have been going unnoticed and take action to quiet them.
Expert tip #5: Choose the Right Listing Agent. Great listing agents do much more than handle your listing agreement, they formulate your battle plan to promote, show, and ultimately sell your home at the highest price possible, and they mind the front lines throughout the process, being alert and ready to do what it takes to make you successful.
Bottom Line: You Have the Power! When it comes to having successful showings which result in quick and profitable closings, you control whether or not you do the small things necessary to make your listing stand out from the others.