If you missed Part 1 of the ten steps to optimize the sale of your home, click here.
Remember, while some of these steps involve more effort than others, they go towards impacting your final sale value. Following them can make a large difference in both what you sell your house for, and how quickly it sells.
6. Styled to Appeal to Potential Buyers
Most full-service agents will include staging as part of their commission package. This helps style your home to appeal to the likely buyer and encourages them to connect emotionally to your home. The more buyers that get excited imagining your property as their home, the higher the sale price. Not all stagers are created equal, however, so it’s important that the quality of staging shines in your listing photography and in person.
In addition to effective staging, anything that you have done to personalize your home should be removed. As uncomfortable as it may feel for you, remember that the buyer wants to envision themselves in your home. Seeing family photos, your coin collection or other personal touches won’t allow them to connect as intensely.
7. Be Ready for Showtime
While it may be inconvenient to have your house in “ready for show” mode, you’ll likely sell your house quicker. If you can arrange for alternative accommodations or be ready to exit your property on short notice, it allows more people to view. While it can be quite a bit of effort to keep a home in show-ready condition, with this approach you’ll have that “SOLD” sticker on your front lawn sooner than you know.
8. Let There be Light!
Buyers’ first impressions are incredibly impactful. Having your home bright and “on” as soon as someone walks through the door helps bolster a buyers’ first look. A dark or dim house feels less inviting and is less impactful. Light assists in showing off your home’s assets, so ensure the sun is shining in and the lights and lamps are on.
9. Pet Evidence
While some potential buyers will be pet-lovers, others will not be. Removing all evidence of your pet(s) helps create a more neutral and appealing setting. So, no dog dishes, litter boxes, and of course, no pet hair that has accumulated in the corner of a room. Arranging for animal care during the listing period is often the easiest way to avoid disturbing your pet, and creates the most inviting space.
10. Listing Price
Finally, we have arguably the most important element: your asking price. This is where an experienced and strategic agent is worth their salt. They can advise you of the most effective listing strategy and price depending on your market, area, and potential buyers. Pricing properly should attract the most serious buyers, maximize the amount of interest, and result in the best possible offer.
While there are many steps that go into effectively preparing a home for market, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The right guidance and support goes a long way in mitigating stress and impacting your resale value. To learn more about preparing your home for sale, check out our Seller’s Guide Step 1: Prepare Your Home.
Photo by Tom Rumble on Unsplash
