‘Tis the season!
It’s been a long, cold, messy winter and, with spring, often come thoughts of selling and buying a new home. Here are a few simple tips to help you maximize your return and minimize your market time.
First Impressions (Don’t get left at the curb)
It all begins with curb appeal. Can you see the house? Large, overgrown landscaping not only hides or dwarfs the house and blocks natural light inside, it also requires maintenance that many homeowners do not care to do. Minimal landscaping is better than too much or overgrown landscaping. Trimming, pruning and a thorough cleanup of winter’s debris go a long way. Scrub the front porch to remove winter’s grime and salt residue. Paint the front door, put out a new welcome mat, and complete the picture with a few seasonal potted plants flanking the front door. You only have one chance to make a first impression.
There’s Something in the Air (The nose knows)
House-i-tosis is a sure way to turn off potential buyers. One of the first senses buyers will experience upon opening the front door is smell. Pet odors, cigarette smoke, cooking odors, heavily scented candles and the excessive use of air fresheners can be a real turnoff to those with sensitive sniffers. The best smell in a house is no smell. Buyers are often wary of homes with candles and simmering potpourri and will frequently ask, “What do you think they are trying to hide?” If you believe the smell of fresh-baked cookies will make the house feel like a home, bake some—and leave them with a note for the buyers to “Enjoy.” Give your house a good sniff test and invest in an air-purifying device if necessary.
Mr. Clean (Let him out of the bottle)
Even buyers whose homes are not pristine appreciate homes that are. Prior to opening your home for buyers’ inspection, give it an old-fashioned spring-cleaning like mom used to do. Start with closets and cabinets. You don’t want them cluttered, which gives the impression that there is not enough storage space. Rent a storage unit if necessary to store off-season clothes, decorations, trophy collections and excess “stuff” that you will not need before you move. Wash windows and curtains. Don’t forget light switch covers, ceiling fans and baseboards. Clean the garage and basement, including the top of the furnace and water heater. Use a dehumidifier in summer months. My favorite analogy to a basement is that of a car. Clean, bright, dry basements are like clean car engines—a sign of good, regular maintenance.
Let There be Light (Day and night)
Buyers like light and bright homes. Open curtains, shades and blinds. Not only will this show off your nice, clean windows, it also will make the rooms feel more spacious. For nighttime showings, turn on the lights. The last thing you want the agent who is showing your home to have to do is search for light switches. Walking into a well-lit home, perhaps with soft music playing, is a great first impression.
Picture Perfect (Not always a good thing)
There are several reasons the family photo gallery should be packed away before your house is shown. “De-personalizing” helps buyers visualize themselves living in the home.
Family photos can also be a distraction to lookers. You don’t want buyers to spend more time trying to identify family members they “think they recognize” than they do looking at the house. It happens. It is often advisable to “neutralize” the house too. Excessive collections of political and religious memorabilia, diplomas and certificates should be rmoved. Sorry, mom—this includes the kids’ artwork on the refrigerator.
Set the Stage (And the table too)
“Staging the home” for sale has become a thriving business for talented professionals who specialize in organizing, arranging and accessorizing. Stagers will do as much or as little as their clients are willing to pay for. Homeowners who need help de-cluttering and organizing can pay a stager and staff to pack unnecessary items, paint, move furniture, rearrange and even provide rental items to help present the home in a manner that is more appealing. Staging is different than decorating—in fact, it often is “un-decorating” and simplifying. The strategic placement of items in the home—and removal of items that distract from the space—has been proven cost-effective, increasing sale price and decreasing market time.
Pre-Sale Inspection (Ignorance is not always bliss)
Most homebuyers will include an inspection contingency with their offer to purchase a home. Home inspections give the buyer a chance to have an in-depth study of the home. Everything from the roof to the basement is inspected for current and potential problems. Home inspections generally start at $250. Why not invest in one before you list your home for sale, and give yourself the opportunity to fix a problem before it becomes one?
The Price Is Right (It’s not a guessing game)
Even a house that has great curb appeal, is odor-free, clean, bright and perfectly staged will not sell if the price is not right. Conversely, sellers who choose not to make any extra effort to prepare their houses for sale can easily sell them if the price reflects the need for improvements. Arriving at an accurate asking price is not always easy, particularly in the current market where values have fluctuated. Real estate agents can prepare a market analysis, which will analyze the recent sales of similar homes in the neighborhood and thus provide a range of value for your home. Appraisers are licensed to perform a more specialized valuation of a home.
Every buyer and every home is different. Some require a lot more attention than others.
Happy house hunting!
Ray Davis is a realtor with RE/MAX Realty Associates. He’s been selling homes in and around “The Burg” for 22 years. Contact him at 717-761-6300 or raydavis@remax.net.
