You have probably heard that first impressions are key, which is especially true when it comes to your home. A well-staged home will make a great impression on potential buyers, leading to a quicker sale. Here are 12 steps from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Ocala Tasha Osbourne to help you get your home ready for sale:
- Clean every nook and cranny.
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes for a minute. Would you rather see a clean and tidy home or one that is cluttered and dirty? The answer is obvious. Make sure to clean every surface and remove all of the clutter. Consider renting a storage unit if you cannot bear to part with your belongings. If you cannot perform the required deep cleaning yourself, you can hire a cleaning company.
- Depersonalize your home.
When potential buyers walk into your home, they should feel like it could be their home. This means removing your personal belongings, such as family photos, mementos, and collectibles. You can put them in storage or send them to your parents’ house until you move out.
- Neutralize your color palette.
You want your buyers to focus on the features of your home, not on the colors you have chosen. Stick to neutral colors that will appeal to everyone. Bright colors maybe your favorite, but they can be a major turnoff for potential buyers. Stick to neutral colors like white, beige, and gray.
- Deodorize your home.
No one wants to buy a home that smells like rotting food or pet urine. Make sure to deodorize your home before showing it to buyers. This means cleaning the carpets, scrubbing the bathrooms, and airing out the rooms. If necessary, use air fresheners to cover up any unpleasant smells.
- Fix any broken fixtures or appliances.
If there are any broken fixtures or appliances in your home, fix them before putting your home on the market. Buyers will not want to deal with these problems after they move in. It is also a good idea to replace any outdated fixtures or appliances.
- Let there be light.
Make sure your home is bright and airy. Open the curtains and turn on all of the lights. If your home is dark and dreary, it will not make a good impression on buyers.
- Fix any drainage problems.
If your home has any drainage problems, fix them before putting them on the market. Water damage can be very costly to repair, and it is not something that buyers want to deal with.
- Stage your furniture.
It may be tempting to just shove all of your furniture into the corners of your rooms, but this will not make your home look appealing to buyers. Instead, stage your furniture to make the room look spacious and inviting. This may mean moving some pieces to other rooms or renting some furniture from a staging company.
- Entice people to explore the whole house.
When buyers are looking at your home, they will only see the rooms directly in front of them. You want to make sure that they are intrigued enough to explore the whole house. There are several ways you can do this. You can put out a sign that says, “Welcome to the Whole House.” Or you can place some strategically placed furniture in the hallway or other rooms that will entice buyers to explore.
- Stage the outdoors too.
The outdoors is just as important as the indoors when it comes to staging your home. Make sure to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and weed the garden. You can also put out some pots of flowers or a bench swing to create a cozy outdoor space.
- Beware pet odors.
If you have pets, make sure to take care of any pet odors before putting your home on the market. Pet urine can be tough to get rid of, and it is not something that buyers want to deal with. Ensure to clean all of the carpets and scrub all surfaces that may have been affected by pet urine. You can also use air fresheners to cover up any unpleasant smells.
- Open those closets.
Closets are a major selling point for any home. Make sure to open them up and organize them to look spacious and inviting. You can also put some shelves or racks in to create more storage space. Buyers will love it!
Conclusion
Preparing your home for sale can be a lot of work, but it is worth it. By following these 12 steps, you will make your home look more appealing to buyers and increase the chances of selling it quickly. Good luck!