Everyone wants the best possible results when selling their home. This could mean earning the highest price or getting the process over with quickly, or a combination of both. Whatever you hope to achieve, much of your success comes from what you do in advance, before your listing even hits the market.
What can you do to attract (and keep) the attention of buyers? Following a few simple guidelines can lead to a straightforward and highly successful transaction.
An accurate listing price is the foundation of a successful sale in today’s fast-moving market. Find out how much your house is worth by scheduling a complimentary home evaluation.
Curb Appeal
The outside of a house is often overlooked, but it’s the first thing a buyer will see. Even online photos should show a well-kept, pristine exterior! Start by doing a thorough yard cleanup, cutting the grass, pulling the weeds, removing any sticks and debris and storing any outdoor tools neatly out of sight. While you’re at it, be sure to put away the garbage can and recycling boxes.
Once everything is spruced up, you can add a few personal touches, like planting some colourful annuals or placing some hanging baskets near the front door. These simple tasks pave the way for an immediate, positive first impression.
Looking for even more tips on selling your home in Barrie? You’ll find plenty of insight in the posts below:
- How Do I Sell My House Fast?
- Why Should You Sell Your Home This Summer?
- How Perfect Does a House Have to Be Before Selling?
Property Repairs and Updates
Deciding what upgrades and repairs to make can be challenging. You don’t have to complete every project, but certain updates can really breathe new life into your home. Many can be performed quickly and with very little investment.
Consider the simple things. For example, deep cleaning or replacing foggy windows and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly brighten up the property.
Cleanliness And Staging
Amazingly enough, many homeowners take shortcuts when it comes to deep cleaning – that is if they don’t skip it altogether. However, it is the most important step of all.
A neat, clutter-free space does more than make a good first impression; it allows a buyer to fall in love with the idea of living in your home. It will take a bit of time and effort, but we cannot stress this enough: get rid of everything unnecessary and do a thorough clean-up from top to bottom, even in closets, under beds, and behind the couch.
Your house should look fantastic, smell nice, and make full use of natural lighting. Pay attention to every detail you might otherwise overlook: put away kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, pop a batch of cookies in the oven, and consider having your carpets cleaned.
Note: If you list with The Peggy Hill Team, you’ll receive a complimentary staging consultation, where our stager will give you valuable pointers on how to improve your presentation so it appeals to the widest audience of buyers. Learn more in Why Sell Your Home With The Peggy Hill Team.
It’s Showtime!
You’ve done the hard work of preparing your house for buyers, but the process isn’t quite over yet. At this point, you’ll want to maintain the effect and be ready for showings at any time. The more flexible you are, the more chances you have to impress buyers and their agents.
So it’s best to always be ready! There are a few basic things that you can do each day to make the most of every opportunity:
- Create a cleaning routine: Make sure that the home is tidy and neat. Minor details can impact your presentation, like putting away toothbrushes, cleaning the kitchen sink, and ensuring coats are hung up in the closet.
- Temperature: Many sellers are so focused on how the house looks that they forget about how it feels. Make sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature; not too cold in the summer or too warm in the winter.
- Lighting: Effective use of light can do wonders for your home’s appearance! Before a buyer comes through, turn on all of the lights so every room looks bright and spacious. In the summer, use sheers to block the heat while still allowing sunlight to flood the house. Turning the fireplace on in the winter is also a nice touch!
What decor trends are capturing buyer’s attention in today’s market? Find out in What Are the Interior Colour and Décor Trends This Year?
Stay Out of the Way
You’ve done everything right up until this point, and it won’t be long until those offers start to arrive. In the meantime, it’s important to avoid getting in your own way.
Often, a seller will make the mistake of remaining in the house during a buyer visit. It seems logical; you are there to answer any questions. However, your presence during this critical time can be a huge mistake! Buyers feel more comfortable discussing the property with their showing agent rather than the existing homeowner.
Keep in mind that we are trying to help a buyer picture their day-to-day life in this space. When you’re around, they are instantly reminded that they are in someone else’s home. Perhaps it sounds harsh, but the best thing you can do now is to leave until the showing is over.
- Don’t lounge on the couch watching TV – the buyer will feel as though they are intruding!
- Sitting outside the home in your car is also not recommended. You want a buyer to feel relaxed and take their time – which they won’t do if they know you are waiting to get back in.
- Even watching from across the street is off limits! You are out of sight, but sometimes, buyers just sense that you are still around. The homeowner’s presence has a way of putting them on edge and can taint the whole viewing experience.
Your best bet is to allow your real estate agent to handle the showing with professionalism and care. It creates a comfortable distance between you and the buyer, and they will feel more welcome and more at ease about asking questions. If all goes right, they will also feel right at home, which is exactly the effect we are after!
Do you have more questions about selling a home? Get in touch with The Peggy Hill Team today at (705)-739-4455 or email info@peggyhill.com. We are happy to help you get started!
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