The one thing in life that is constant is change. And sometimes, we must make significant changes in our lives to move forward, such as relocation. Selling your home can be an arduous process, however, it is a key step in what will be a new beginning for you.
Realtor Rachel Lee and her team have put together this Seller’s Guide to help provide you home selling tips.
It’s all about curb appeal (and first impressions)
Curb appeal matters. It’s the first impression for a buyer; and quite frankly, first and only shot at engaging the buyer’s interest in home. Lawn upkeep, removing weeds, adding potted plants and shrubbery, upgrading the mailbox, and making sure your roof is in tip-top shape are some things you can do to improve curb appeal. Houston is a very, very competitive housing market and you want to make sure it is your home that sells.
Light it up!
Light sells. It is typically one of the things that buyers look for in a new home. Take down dark drapes, clean your windows, change out lampshades to lighter color, and replace all the bulbs in your home with brighter ones. Altogether, you want your home to appear bright. It gives off a positive energy to the buyer and it entices them to desire your home even more.
Don’t make it so personal
Buyers need to be able to envision themselves as the new owners of your home. Therefore, it is a good idea to take as much personal items out of your home as possible, such as pictures, memorabilia, pet supplies, and other personal keepsakes. For one, this reduces clutter, and for two, this allows for a better showcase of the floor plan.
Clean, clean, clean
Potential buyers will tour your home. Because of this, Rachel Lee and her team encourage you to keep your home clean, organized, and de-cluttered throughout the selling process. You want to make sure that the floor plan of your home takes center stage. Moreover, you do not want to give off an impression that you don’t have a clean home. In addition, make sure your storage spaces are also neat and clean.
Pets are really, really awesome, but…
…Not everyone is a pet lover. And that’s okay! Someone that isn’t a pet-lover may end up being the one that purchases your home. On days when a potential buyer is going to tour your home, it is best that your pets are not home. Plus, it is also important that you conceal and/or remove any pet supplies, litterboxes, dog kennels, or bird cages. Give your home a good, thorough vacuuming if you have pets that shed hair.
A quick fix can do the trick
You want to make sure your home looks appealing as possible. It’s important that you take care of as many quick fixes as possible, such as painting walls, cleaning grout, cleaning curtains, make sure doors and cabinetry are in order, and fix any leaks that you can find. It’s not necessarily a good idea to do a massive home improvement project before you put the house on the market. You may not recoup this investment after the house sells. Focus on the things that can be fixed relatively easy.
…But if you have to pay for a home improvement project, focus on the kitchen
Yes, the kitchen can make or break the sale of a home. It is that critical. It cannot be overstated. There is a great deal of value that can be added to the home after your kitchen gets remodeled. There’s a good chance that you will get a great deal of your money back after undertaking this investment. A kitchen that doesn’t look dated helps your home sell faster and for more money.
The right price
It’s understandable that you are going to want a certain amount of money for your home. Everyone does! However, what your home ends up selling for will ultimately depend on the market. That’s why Rachel Lee and her team will conduct extensive market research to help find the optimal price for your home that will garner interest and, most importantly, bids.