Refresh the Landscaping

The exterior creates the first impression of your home. To ensure the best curb-appeal make sure the landscaping is in “tip-top” shape. Trim overgrown trees and bushes, pick up fallen sticks, rake the leaves, mow the lawn, add new mulch to flower beds and sweep the walkways.  You need to make buyers want to see your home. 

 

Clean Up the Front Porch

Your front porch should be taken care to the same extent of the interior of your home. Be sure to put down a new welcome mat, add a fresh coat of paint on the front door, wipe down the furniture and consistently sweep the porch clean of leaves and dirt. A clean front porch gives buyers an optimistic outlook for the rest of the home.

 

Upgrade the Kitchen

The kitchen holds a major stake in the sale of your home. HGTV says “The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace counter tops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated.” On a budget? Try repainting and installing new hardware to give your kitchen a fresh feel. 

 

De-Personalize

Buyer’s want to envision their lives in your home, not the other way around. Your family photos and other personal belongings block buyer's ability to imagine themselves in the new space. Pack away these items to make your home more inviting to the potential homeowners.

 

Empty Out Closets

Remove all unnecessary belongings from closets throughout the home. Buyer’s want to see that there is plenty of space for storage in your home. An overstuffed closet looks cluttered and shows that the current homeowners are struggling with space. A closet with space to spare is more appealing to buyers.

 

Finish the “Fix-It” List

Although you may feel as if your "fix-it" list is never-ending, it is important to make sure that everything gets checked off. Buyers do not want to buy into a “to-do” list.  The less work the home needs, the more likely you are to sell your home at asking price.

 

Neutralize the Colors

Tone down the bright and statement colors on the walls. Lighter and neutral wall colors are more inviting as they brighten and visually enlarge rooms. Some buyers have a difficult time seeing past the wall color, deterring their decision to purchase.

 

Improve Traffic flow

Bulky and awkward furniture can get in the way of showings. If buyers do not feel at ease with layout of the furniture in your home, it could prevent them from submitting an offer. Remove all unnecessary furniture and arrange it to allow for a smooth transition between rooms.

 

Remove Clutter

One of the most simple tips to prepare your home to sell is to remove all clutter. Doing  so takes away the “noise” and makes the room look larger. Knickknacks and paper piles draw attention away from the beautiful features of each room.

 

Eliminate Odors

As mentioned before, first impressions can make or break the sale of your home. If a buyer steps inside and is overwhelmed by an odor it can change their entire outlook on the property. Homeowners become accustomed to pet and tobacco odors, but buyers are not. Be sure to shampoo the carpets, air out your home, and take out the trash before showings.

 

Add Aromas

Baking cookies or brewing a fresh pot of coffee before a showing can make buyers feel welcome when previewing a home. As mentioned above, always be sure to air out your home a half hour before showings. If baking isn't your specialty, or you're not a coffee drinker, light a candle - just be sure to put it out before you leave for the showing!

 

Keep the Home Vacuumed and Dusted

When your house is on the market it is important to always keep it clean and show ready. Make it a priority to dust, vacuum and put away clutter daily. Create a “game plan” with your family to get the house in order quickly in case of a last-minute showing request.

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When you are ready to list your home, we can help. You will need a team of agents who will prospect daily for potential buyers, advertise your home effectively, show to prospective buyers, negotiate the purchase contract, approve financing, handle all of the marketing from listing to contract and all of the administrative paperwork from contract to close.

The Benjamin Hardy Real Estate Group is your Real Estate Team. Our objective is to sell your home with the least amount of hassle at the highest price possible. By pricing your home accurately, we will position your home to sell dictated by the market. Your home will receive maximum exposure with our extensive marketing plan, including showcasing it to our own database of potential buyers.

610.784.3213 | www.hardyrealestategroup.com |info@hardyrealestategroup.com