If you want to get top dollar for your home, it will require more than just a for sale sign in the yard. Following some of these simple rules could put a bigger smile on your face when you receive an offer from a buyer.
There are many different types of buyer’s but data shows 80% of these buyer’s purchase a home based on emotion. We want to hone in on this emotion and keep the buyer emotional and excited during the preview of your home. And best of all, you probably won’t have to spend any money to accomplish this.
The first thing you want to do is put on a “buyer hat”, go outside and walk up to your home. How do you feel? Are you excited? Do you like what you see? What could you do to entice the emotions of the buyer? In almost every facet of business we have heard the term “First impressions count”. This is also true in real estate. Another popular saying is “Does the home have curb appeal”? Both the inside and the outside of the home should have “curb appeal”.
What is the first thing a buyer notices when they drive up to your home? That’s right, the outside. Is your lawn manicured? Are the trees and shrubs trimmed? Are there cobwebs around your front door or in the entryway? Can you do something to spruce up the front door that is faded by the sun? Yes, that first impression counts. Be attentive to these small and easy fixable items and it will grab the buyer’s emotion and want them to see more.
If you ask an Interior Designer what’s important when you walk in a room and they will tell you that it is a “focal point”. When a buyer first enters the home what is the first thing they see? Be sure you don’t have a large piece of furniture too close to the entry as it will take away from the rest of the room. If you have a beautiful piece, show it off. Make sure it is positioned in the room so the buyer see the front of the piece instead of the side. If it is far enough away from the entry, then the buyer will not only notice it but the rest of the room as well. This sounds so simple but it is so important in keeping the buyer’s emotional state wound up. This really applies to all rooms in the home.
Rearrange your furniture to make each room look as spacious as possible. One misconception most people have is you have to have small pieces or accents and furniture in a small room. This is not true but on the other hand you don’t want accessories or furniture that is too large and overwhelming for a room.
Pay the most attention to your kitchen and bathrooms. They should look like “Mr. Clean” was just there. Take knick-knacks off the counters to show off all the counter space. Clean that self-cleaning oven. Do you think the buyer will not look in the oven? Be sure the dishes are in the dishwasher and not the sink. Make sure the floors, toilets, bathtubs are sparkling. Buyers will always feel more comfortable with the rest of the home if these areas are spick’n’span.
Taking these minimal and inexpensive steps in preparing your home for sale will almost guarantee you a higher offer price. on the home when it comes time to sell.
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