How To Prepare Your Home to Sell in Spring
Follow these 8 steps to prepare your home to sell and increase the value of your home
1. Clear your clutter
Getting rid of extra clutter and junk is the very first step to getting your ready home to be on the market. Make a sweep of every room in your house, including closets and the garage. Less furniture will help your rooms appear larger than they are. A professional stager can help with this by recommending what furniture to remove. A stager may even recommend that you remove half of the furniture to open up a room. Look into the option of renting storage space to assist in storing items you aren’t ready to get rid of.
2. Use Paint
Another trick stagers use in small rooms is to paint adjoining rooms the same color. A small open kitchen will appear larger if it is the same light color as the dining room. Hanging matching drapes the same shade as the walls will also help make your room look larger.
3. Neutral Colors
It is also important that your home is not decorated too personally. Bright and bold colors may be a turn off to buyers who may feel like they are invading YOUR home instead of their future home. Choose a neutral off-white, beige or tan paint. Soft blues or light greens can work as well.
4. Removal of Personal Items
By the same token, too many family photos or heirlooms will make your home seem too personal. If all they see when they walk into your home is your memories, they won’t be able to picture themselves living in the home.
5. Clean Everything
A dirty home with pet smells or stains will not induce a buyer to want to take their time and look around. Also remember anyone who is seriously thinking about your home will open cabinets to look for leaks, and open closet doors to see the storage space. You will want to clean the entire house to be sparkling clean. Hire a cleaning service to help you maintain this cleanliness while your home is on the market, if you can. It also may be a good idea to have your carpets and furniture professionally cleaned.
6. Fix Loose Door Knobs and Consider Replacing Old Hardware
Loose doorknobs and brass hardware make the home seem used and outdated. A room can instantly feel refreshed with updated hardware and a fully functioning doorknob.
7. Make Sure All Doors Shut Properly
Nothing screams old more than a door that doesn't shut properly. Don't let the details turn buyers off from considering your home.
8. Curb Appeal
Don’t forget your buyer’s first impression- the exterior of your home. Think about how your home looks as the buyers drive up for the first time. Be sure that all toys and garbage cans are neatly stored away. Regularly trim your grass. You may want to also consult a professional landscaper to help sculpt your bushes and trees to make a first impression that lasts.