You’ve decided to put your home up for sale.
There can be a lot of emotion that comes with
making this type of decision. Loving your home and all of the quirks that made you want to buy it might get in the way when it comes time to make it buyer-ready. In order to help make this process a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of five things you should consider when it comes to preparing your home to sell in Central Florida.
1. Look at your home from the buyer’s perspective.
Start outside and work your way in. Make sure to look in every nook and cranny your house has to offer. As you do this, make a pro/con list of all the things that you like and dislike about your home. Typically, these will be the things potential buyers will like or not like about your home as well. Take this list and try to highlight the things that you love, making those even more of a reason why someone would want to buy your home. Then look at the cons and determine if there is an easy way to minimize some of the things you don't particularly like about your home. Maybe the living room that seems a little on the small side will not look so cramped if you take out your love seat and just leave the couch instead. Small changes can make a big impact when it comes time to show your home.
2. Take care of the honey-do list.
Do you have a leaky faucet that needs fixing? Is there chipped paint in the hallway? Any of those easy-to-fix things that have been sitting on your to-do list should be addressed now. Take a weekend and focus on checking each item off your list and before you know it, all those repairs you’ve been putting off will be done and make your house one step closer to being ready to sell. If you aren't sure what should and shouldn't be fixed, consult a knowledgeable REALTOR®— they will be able to help you make the best decisions and ensure you aren't wasting time or money.
3. Declutter and deep clean.
One of the easiest things you can do to make your home more buyer-friendly is to declutter. By taking out the clutter, you’ll make your home look bigger and cleaner. Be sure to clean those things that no one ever really remembers to clean on a daily basis, like ceiling fans, baseboards, and air vents. Once you've done a deep clean of your home, keeping it clean and ready for showings will be much easier. Remember, buyers tend to consider a clean home as one that has been well cared for—this can make the difference between them buying your home or the one down the road.
4. Neutralize your color palette.
You might love that dark red dining room or cheery yellow kitchen, but that doesn’t mean everyone will. Rooms with too much character may not speak to every potential buyer. Repainting a room or two with a neutral color, like cream or tan, will help your home speak to many different tastes and styles. When people can picture their things in a space, it makes it that much easier to fall in love with it.
5. Work on your curb appeal.
Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes. Sometimes, these things can make a bigger impact on your curb appeal than you realize. Other things you can consider doing to spruce up the exterior include painting your front door, washing windows and screens, and removing outdoor toys or old lawn furniture. First impressions really matter, and your front yard is the first thing any potential buyer is going to see.
Looking for more tips on selling your home? Contact the experts at Dream Builders Realty!
These five tips are just general suggestions. If you want to make sure you’re going to get the most value for your dollar (and sweat), be sure to talk with a REALTOR®. An experienced and qualified REALTOR® will be able to look your home over and give you advice on the easiest and most cost-effective things to do to get your home ready for the market.
