Jeannie Crosby here. I see quite a few homes as they are getting ready to hit the market, and in general, I have similar comments for each home. With housing inventory going up, you should prepare yourself for more competition.
I tell sellers: “Today your home is yours. Tomorrow, it’s mine to stage. After that, it belongs to a new buyer.” If you follow the tips below, you can have it ready for a new buyer to pounce!
Declutter your Home
Decluttering and organizing your space will go a LONG way in appealing to potential buyers. When a home is free of clutter, buyers are able to focus on the actual home, instead of on papers, stuffed animals, dog bed, or clothes overflowing in closets. Don’t forget to take down knickknack shelves and family photos. Click here for past tips on how to declutter in Des Moines.
Call a Handyman
When preparing to sell, you should have your handyman (or handyperson) on standby! Take care of anything and everything minor that can be fixed like cracks in walls, out of date fixtures, squeaky doors, running or loose toilets, etc. Otherwise, buyers worry a home hasn’t been well maintained, and may go elsewhere. Need a handyman? Check out our vendor list.
Paint and Touch Up
Now’s the time to paint! Start by painting over those bright reds/yellows/greens with neutral colors. Stick to whites, warm grays, and light beiges; these shades make your home appear bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. It takes a bit of effort, but your home will stand out from other listings that didn’t bother. If you’re like Nora, and can’t paint, hire it out (check out our vendor list).
Clean for the Queen!
First impressions are everything! Don’t let foul smells, dirty floors, or dusty surfaces make a bad first impression on a potential buyer. Before listing your home, and throughout the showing process, give your home frequent deep cleans. This includes cleaning toilets, removing soap scum off shower doors, mopping floors, wiping down surfaces, and more. Need help? Call the professionals to ensure your home is pristine.
Curb Appeal
Don’t forget the outside of your home as well! After all, buyers will stand outside looking around while their agent is opening the lockbox. Make sure the grass is cut, the yard is landscaped, and all garden gnomes and cobwebs are gone. You can also add a fresh coat of paint to the front door for a pop!
Light it Up!
When preparing for listing photos and showing your home, turn all your lights on. It helps to have a variety of lights in each room. Replace any burnt out bulbs (with the same bulbs throughout), and even update light fixtures. Do you have a brass monstrosity in the formal dining room? Consider spending a little to replace with a more contemporary light fixture. Finally, make sure all bulbs are a soft color or natural light; this will show your home off better.
Time to Depersonalize
This one is tougher than it seems; you want to strike a balance between depersonalizing and creating a warm, welcoming home. Put away the framed kid and family photos, bulletin boards, and personal items. Then, add a few nice décor pieces and artwork around the home.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
That’s only natural! We’re here to help through the process. Sell with us, and we will provide a staging consultation and décor with Jeannie from Make It Sell Designs as part of your listing package. Contact Nora or Tawnia today to get started!
