Ready to Sell Your Home? Think Like a Home Buyer First!

Are you ready to sell your home? Don’t just list it without making some preparations first. A few easy touch-ups to your home can go a long way in making a better impression on potential homebuyers.

Think like a home buyer. Take a walkthrough of your own home and envision it from the eyes of a potential buyer. You will most likely see things that need repair that you’ve overlooked. Notice any unsightly stains on carpets or walls. 

Take notice of any obvious clutter that needs to be straightened up. Also take note of any smells or odors. Your home may have odors that you’ve never noticed before. Make notes as you walk through your home, so you know what you need to work on before listing your home for sale.

After you do your home “inspection”, start with a thorough housecleaning. This step will work wonders when potential buyers look at your home. A clean home is an appealing home. Move clutter out of sight. The roomier your home looks, the better!

Take notice of the colors in the interior of your home. Did you make a bad paint decision years ago? If you have walls with dramatic colors that may not appeal to most potential buyers, consider repainting in a neutral tone. Also, try to keep your home’s decor on the simpler side. Less is definitely more in this instance. And, if you have personal items like family photos sitting around, consider putting them away for the time being. A new homeowner wants to envision his or her family in the home (not yours)!

Take some time to organize. Yes, even your closets! A potential buyer may open up a closet to see how much storage space is available. If clothing or other items come spilling out when they open the door – that’s not a good sign! Also get rid of any bulky or ugly furniture. Make sure that the furniture you currently have fits the size of each room appropriately. If it doesn’t, either donate it or put it in storage for now.

Open up curtains! Light is a big draw for homebuyers. Rarely do people feel inspired when touring a dark and dreary home. A bright room looks cheerful and can appear larger in size!

There are so many more things you can do to boost the appeal of your home, but these tips are a good start! Don’t forget that the most important thing is the first impression when the potential buyer approaches your home from the outside! Spend some time not just inside your home, but also outdoors.

Walk up to your front door as if seeing it for the first time. Does the door look clean? Is it freshly painted? How does your walkway look? Is it overgrown? Are the shrubs and flowerbeds out of control? Do you have clutter and debris on your porch? How about dead leaves? Clean it all up!

The first impression will last. Some potential buyers may choose to not even enter a home if it looks unkempt from the outside, so pay special attention to the exterior of your home.

When you’re ready to list your home, give me a call at 610-413-0520. I can help you every step of the way!