By Patrick McCarran
Real Estate Broker
Although it is not quite a Sellers’ market, inventory is very low and Buyers are still out there looking. Buyers however have slowed down and now more than ever are looking for that just right home. As you ready your home for sale, you should realize that you can maximize your return with a few simple upgrades, like light fixtures and faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms will make a big impression and are affordable to implement. You don’t need to over-improve. Projects like adding solar and increasing insulation are better for the long term and not usually the best investment for a sale. Make any needed repairs to your home, but don’t go above and beyond—you may not recoup the money doing so.
A Realtor calls to let you know they will be bringing buyers by this afternoon. Great! You rally your whole family, Max the dog included, to be waiting at the door with fresh baked cookies and big smiles. Right? Wrong. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. Get out of the house, take the kids with you, and if you can’t leave for whatever reason, don’t go sit in the backyard especially if that is a selling feature, try standing on the front porch or walk around the block.
Over-decorating is just as bad as over-improving. You may love the look of lace and lavender, but your potential buyer may enter your home and cringe. Home staging is meant to create a neutral canvas that will appeal to the majority of buyers. Staging is all about de-personalizing the space, and creating more of a look that will appeal to most everyone. If painting, you should choose nice neutral and warm beige tones. People are quick to stage living rooms and kitchens and but don’t forget to spruce up the bedrooms, flex space and closets as well. Remember less is more.
People love natural light, so don’t block any light with heavy curtains or furniture. Accentuate any attractive views. Anything dated in a home is a turn-off to a potential buyer and window treatments are one of them. Don’t be afraid to take down the curtains and just use the blind or just leave the valance.
Simplify the furniture to be in balance with the scale of the room. Remember that the purpose of furniture when selling a home is to define the purpose of the room and to show what will fit where. Check that all lights are burning with fresh bulbs, and that all fixtures are working.
