Seller Success in a Sizzling Market

Often times when considering current market conditions, it is easy to generalize and think that every home listed goes for thousands or hundreds of thousands over list price.  Although our real estate market is extremely strong and continues to be very competitive, the simple truth is that not every home sells for over list.  Even with a shortage of available homes there are price reductions on homes that are not camera ready.

There are several things sellers can do to set themselves up for success. Here are eight simple ways a seller can transform their home from ordinary to extraordinary.

1. Buyers want to walk into a space that looks fresh and smells good. Seems simple, however, this is not always the case.  It is an instant deterrent when the home smells like cat or dog. Being a dog lover myself it is easy to understand this predicament yet getting the carpets cleaned can make a huge difference.  Also, employing a reliable house cleaning service (or do it yourself DIY) for a deep clean prior to listing photos is always a great idea.  Neat and tidy is the goal!
2. Decluttering and neutralizing the home is a great way to make it a blank palette that many buyers can see themselves moving into. We want to do the heavy lifting for buyers by removing personal items like numerous family photos, porcelain figurines or collections and also removing specific religious items or any type of posters is typically a good idea.
3. Windows that have recently washed on the inside and out will make a huge difference. Notably, since most photographers shoot high dynamic range (HDR), which means multiple exposures are taken of the same frame to make it appear that the outdoors are crystal clear in any interior photo with windows, it is critical that the windows are free from rain or snow spots. Bring the outside in!
4. A fresh coat of interior paint can do wonders for a space. This will instantly give your home an updated feeling. Make sure you select a neutral paint color.  Not every color works for every home due to the existing cabinet, countertop, and flooring. White is very on trend but it is important to select the right shade of white. Try Ultra Pure White from Behr.  Another option is a greige, a mix between gray and beige.  Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams works well.
5. Never underestimate the power of a good lightbulb! Make sure to replace any burnt out lightbulbs.  Consistency is the key so invest in lightbulbs that match. Bright white, cool or spiral lightbulbs should be replaced for warm tone lightbulbs.  It makes your home feel more inviting and cozy.
6. Depending on the condition of the flooring it might be a nice to replace it. Carpet that has gone beyond its useful life is dreary and unappealing.  Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is all the rage because it is water and scratch resistant. It comes in a large variety of wood looks and in various plank widths and lengths.  Plus, even a novice can buy and DIY install.
7. Curb appeal is an important component of the overall buyer experience. During winter make sure driveway and walkway are shoveled.  During warmer months make sure the pine needles have been picked up and rain gutters are clear. If the front door looks old give it a fresh coat of paint. Also buy a new front door mat. A new mailbox and modern address numbers are affordable and look good too!
8. Staging your home can take transform the flow and make it appealing to the masses. You can hire a professional stager, however, many agents can offer an objective eye to provide ideas for removal or rearranging furniture.  One rule of thumb is reducing the number of pieces of furniture in a room will make it appear larger.  Wall to wall furniture makes a space feel smaller and uncomfortable. Omit items from kitchen and bathroom countertops to transform these rooms.  Purchase new throw pillows and throw blankets to update the living room and bedrooms. An affordable update that will pay dividends!

Looking for a few more specific tips for your home?  Call, text or email me!