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A clean, uncluttered home is very likely the single most important thing to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.
In fact, a recent survey by HomeGain showed a whopping 568% return on investment for money put toward cleaning and organizing a home for sale!
And other experts say that a well-put-together home can shorten the time on market drastically as well.
Before your real estate agent lists your home, it’s essential for it to look its best.
Examine your living space and see it as a buyer would — then double check this list of staging tips to make sure you haven’t overlooked these important details. Here are 7 tips to get your home in tip top selling condition.
Go through your home and either get rid of items that you no longer use, or put them away and out of sight. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you haven’t used something in at least a year, it may be time to toss it. Tidy up counter tops, bookcases, garages and closets. Don’t leave any space unchecked, as buyers will certainly open up all doors and drawers.
It’s helpful to present your home in such a way so it looks like no one lives there. Instead, you should try to help buyers picture themselves living in the home before they even consider putting in an offer.
But it can be difficult for buyers to imagine the home as their own if it’s covered in yoru family photos and artifacts. As such, personal photos and knick-knacks should be boxed up for moving day.
Too much clutter can make a room seem smaller than it actually is. That’s why it’s recommended to clear the clutter before you allow the first buyer to step foot inside your home.
If your home is tight on storage space, consider renting a storage unit while your home is on the market. You can use that extra space to store items that are cluttering your home. Eliminating unnecessary artifacts can help open up space and make the rooms appear bigger.
Certain items are assumed that they will be taken by the seller after the deal closes, like major pieces of furniture. But other things can be a bit of a gray spot. Unless you specifically state in the contract what will stay and what will go, the buyer may not fully be aware of what will stick with the property when they take possession.
An easy way to avoid this confusion is to remove the items that you will be taking with you before showing your home. If necessary, replace them with something so there doesn’t look like anything is missing and to improve the appearance of your home.
If you are taking the dining room chandelier or the built-in microwave, for example, remove them before the house goes on the market.
Any small issues will not only take away from the appearance of your home, but they can also be the source of some conflict between you and the buyer.
It’s quite possible that the buyer will ask that you make the necessary repairs before you move out after an offer has been accepted and a deal is finalized. So you might as well make the repairs before you put your home on the market. For instance, check that faucets don’t leak, doors close properly, and holes in the walls are patched.
Windows, floors and bathrooms should be sparkling. Dust every surface, hang up fresh towels in the bathroom and make sure there are no lingering odors.
The more you can do to make your home look attractive,m the better. And make sure to keep on top of your home’s cleanliness and appearance while your home is listed for sale.
Curb appeal starts at the curb — go figure — so mow the yard, wash down walkways and add some bright flowers near the front door to trigger the emotion to buy.
There are so many different ways to give your home an advantage over the competition in the spring buying market.
Plus, nice looking properties are more appealing for real estate agents to show their clients, so your well-taken-care-of home may get a lot more exposure.
In the end, the better your property looks, the faster it’s going to sell…and get you the most for it.
Are you in need of mortgage financing to purchase a home? If so, we can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a Bellevue-based company that offers competitive pricing on various mortgage programs. We have been serving borrowers in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado since 1992. Contact us today to get started on your mortgage application!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.