In order of importance of all the things you may seek to sell, your home ranks high (and probably highest) on that list. There’s a lot of advice out there about steps you can take to make your home more saleable.
Even in this HOT seller’s market, some homes sell more quickly than others, and some homes create bidding wars among potential buyers. If that sounds like music to your ears, you should avoid making mistakes that can jinx your sale. Let’s take a look at common mistakes people make at home selling time.
Love at first sight
Think of presenting your home like creating a fairy tale picture of what life will be like when buyers move into your home. You want them to fall in love with the very idea of your home. One way to do that is to avoid giving the impression that your home will be much like their current one. That means removing as many reminders of everyday life as you can.
What you don’t want:
- Unmade beds
- Toys to trip over or give the impression of clutter
- Piles of paperwork scattered around
- Clothes hanging in the yard or in the laundry room
- Open cupboard doors or drawers
- Cluttered rooms
First impressions are everything
Do you have loose ends that need fixing or appear to need work or money to make them right? As the saying goes, “Heaven is in the details.” Take care of things buyers might spot and try to lowball your selling price. Do a thorough inspection to find these trouble spots. Better still, call a reputable home inspector and arrange for a seller’s inspection. Then fix what you can fix, and hire a handyman to fix what you can’t. It’s time and money well-spent. Also, the first glimpse of your house should make the buyer want to see more. Make sure your marketing photos are clear and sharp. Get a professional to take the pictures. Next step is to keep your house looking as amazing as the day your photos were taken.
Keep it positive!
Never say anything negative about your home. Never apologize for anything that comes up, and always leave your potential buyer with a good impression.
A buyer may ask, “Why are you moving?” Don’t talk about lack of space or noisy neighbors. Try something more positive, as long as it rings true, such as, “I need to be closer to my work, but I will miss this house.”
Don’t say, “I’m looking for more space,” or buyers might get the impression that your home lacks space. Instead, keep the rooms free of clutter, even if you have to use a storage facility to make the rooms look more airy.
Remove your personality
If your home is cluttered with your porcelain cat collection or your walls are a museum gallery of family photos, you’ll need to remove it all before showing to potential buyers. Too much of your personality can make buyers feel as if they are invading your privacy. It also keeps them from visualizing how they would utilize the space. Keep a few tasteful decorations, but keep it elegant and simple.
Deep six that bathroom carpet
Of all the rooms, kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a sale. You want your buyer to feel good about the idea of using the space. Bathrooms are bad places for carpeting. Wet carpets mean dampness and possibly mold. Get rid of it. Don’t want to spring for expensive tiles? Find a tasteful linoleum instead. Get a pro to install it so it looks great.
Don’t be garish
You may love your bright orange living room walls, but buyers likely will not. They’re thinking about how their décor will look with the color of the room.
When in doubt, choose light, neutral colors. You don’t want to lose your sale or fetch a lower price over the cost of a few cans of paint.
Showcase your home’s best features
Do you have a gorgeous mountain view? Don’t hide it with shades or curtains. Make sure they light is coming in. The room will feel more cheerful and spacious. Is there a hardwood floor hiding under your carpet? Uncover it and make it shine.
Room to spare?
Don’t waste a spare room as a dumping ground for “stuff.” Put all that stuff in storage and stage that spare room as a guest bedroom or home office. Show buyers that there is a definite use for that room.
Don’t end up in the dog house
Buyers may not be fond of animals, or they may be allergic to fur. Make sure your home doesn’t smell like wet dog or overflowing cat litter. If possible, have your pets out of the house when you’re showing. Board them for the day if your neighbor won’t keep them for a few hours, and be sure your carpets are clean and free of nasty odors.
So, even in the midst of this great seller’s market, follow these tips and avoid these mistakes. You’ll make a great impression and fetch the highest price for your home. You may even get that bidding war!
