Things To Consider
Netflix’s latest trending show, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, has sparked a cleaning fad at the ideal time with spring just around the corner and many wanting to get their homes ready to sell.
One of the most important and first steps to sell any home is to make it attractive and easy for others to envision it as their own. Opinions of what makes a home attractive can vary immensely, so it’s best to put oneself in a potential buyer’s shoes and look at the home with a critical eye.
A great start to preparing any home for the market is to begin de-cluttering. Simply start by disposing of anything not needed or wanted. Keep in mind that if it has not been used in a year, more than likely, it is not needed. Many people like to use Marie Kondo’s Japanese art of decluttering and organizing known as the KonMari Method. Helpful information can be found on her website at konmari.com.
Once a home is purged of unnecessary items, the next step is to do a little deep cleaning. Remember that the competition is not just other pre-existing homes, but new construction homes as well. Serious sellers give their home a thorough cleaning while paying special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. It is amazing what a day of cleaning will do to make a home look shiny and new. Clean ceiling fans and baseboards are a must. Dirty damaged baseboards will age and kill the appeal of even the most luxurious of homes. It is always a great idea to add a little white gloss paint to baseboards and trim for a cleaner, brighter appearance.
Many homeowners will make the extra effort to update their homes with the latest styles and colors; updating countertops, flooring, fixtures, and applying fresh paint. While some people love a splash of cerulean blue or ruby red, seeing a lot of bold colors in a home may have most buyers scurrying away to avoid having to paint the home to better suit their own tastes.
It is a good idea to visit new construction homes to get a feel for what new homes look like in today’s market. This is a great way to view some of the competition and form plans for a few inexpensive changes to your own home. Yes, some people think shades of beige and gray are boring choices, but if a home is too dated or too “busy” it will turn away buyers. Most builders know what it takes to move property quickly. They know the latest trends and know how to make a home appealing to the masses. Anyone planning to sell their home should take notice of what builders are doing and to which existing homes are selling the quickest in their area. This can be a good indication of current buyer preferences.
A few days of cleaning, organizing, and touching up the paint will cost little and make a huge difference, but don’t forget the exterior of the home and the landscape which should also be well kept. Curb appeal is the first thing the buyer will notice. A buyer shouldn’t be scared off before they have a chance to view the interior. Then once inside, rooms should have only a few nice furnishings with no clutter to allow for a clean, spacious look. Remember less is always more and the goal is to sell the home as quickly as possible and at the best price obtainable.