Spring is a great time to put your house on the market. According to a study by Zillow, homes listed between mid-March and mid-April traditionally sold the fastest. But before you call an agent to list your property, you will want to do a few things to your house to guarantee a quick sale and a higher sale price.
Curb Appeal
Don’t discount curb appeal. If the exterior of your home isn’t appealing, there are a chance buyers may not even bother to go inside. The exterior of your home is the first thing a buyer sees when viewing your property and it gives them a glimpse of what can be expected as they tour the inside. Successful curb appeal can be as easy as pressure washing the driveway and sidewalk, painting the front door, and putting down a new “welcome” mat.
Minor Repairs
Even the most inconspicuous of fixes may be an eyesore. Whether it be a missing shutter or hanging gutters on the exterior of the property, chipped woodwork, damaged flooring, or dinged kitchen cabinets on the interior of the home, little repairs can be the difference between a low offer and the full asking price.
Paint Colors
According to HGVT, shades of pale blue reportedly bring in the largest sale price when used in bedrooms and bathrooms, while warm browns are popular in living areas. Shades of warm gray are a good color choice if you plan to repaint the entire interior before putting it on the market.
Staging
Beyond simply cleaning and decluttering, you should also stage your house so that it is more appealing to potential buyers. This will help you make the best first impression possible and attract a large number of interested parties.
The practice of home staging is an art form that aims to present your property in the most favorable light possible. Making creative use of your existing furnishings, replacing worn-out or outdated items, or cleaning up the outdoor area are all things that might help potential buyers concentrate on the positive aspects of your property rather than its drawbacks.
To begin, remove the bulkier pieces of furniture and move the remaining pieces of furniture away from the walls. “Most of the time,” Dawn explains, “the room is structured such that the children may play in the middle of the room or so that the TV can be clearly seen from every chair and sofa.” [C]onventionally,
A skilled real estate agent can give your property a new perspective and assist you in reimagining the space within it. In order to achieve the look that you want in the living room, Dawn recommends that you “go to different rooms and check if there are pieces that you can repurpose for the living room.”
Buyers want to be able to go into an area that is open, inviting conversation, and seems like it might be lived in. A location that beckons them to take a seat and remain for a while.
Simply laying the table in the dining room is a quick and easy staging trick. Bring out the good silverware and china, arrange some flowers in a vase, and add other touches that are appropriate for the season.
Dawn notes that if she sees a family thriving in the community, she would believe that her own family can thrive there as well.
Staging creates an environment in which prospective buyers may imagine themselves living, which increases the likelihood that they will make an offer.
Professional Cleaning
If you are like the average homeowner, you don’t see your own dirt. Hire a professional cleaning company to dust wood trim, clean baseboards, hardwood floors, and vinyl flooring, and steam clean the carpeting before listing your home. Not to mention, potential buyers will notice the whole house smells fresh and clean.