If you're planning a move, you want to sell your home as quickly as possible. That can be difficult in a buyer's market, especially if your neighborhood is saturated with for sale signs. To make sure you give yourself the best chance of selling your home quickly – and for the best price – you want to pull out all the stops. Luckily, pulling out the stops doesn't have to be expensive. Here are four simple steps you can take to make sure your home stands out in the crowd.
Make Your Home Inviting
If you're going to be putting your home on the market, take a close look at the picture it's painting. That is, what do people see when they pull up to your home? Do they feel invited to come in and look around? If your home doesn't look as inviting as it should, it's time to make some changes. First, clean the front porch and add some potted plants. Second, update the landscaping just a bit. You can do that by adding a few flowering plants to your garden. Finally, look at your front door. If it's looking old and weather-beaten, add a fresh coat of paint to brighten it up.
Clear Away the Clutter
When prospective buyers walk into a home, they want to envision their own belongings. That can be difficult if your home is filled with clutter. Before you start showing your home, pack up some of your belongings, and clear away the clutter. Countertops should be clean and clear. Bedrooms should be clean and well-kept, with just a few personal belongings out. To make sure your home is ready for prospective buyers, it's a good idea to start packing up your things and putting them into storage. This will show buyer's that your home is move-in ready.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Paint is a great way to show off your own creative style. Unfortunately, overly-unique color choices can turn prospective buyers away. If your color choices are well-beyond the traditional palette, change to a more neutral shade before you put your home on the market.
Take Care of the Odor Control
When it comes to selling a home, one of the first things prospective buyer's notice is the odor. If you have pets, or a toddler in diapers, you need to control the odors before you show your home. One way to do that is with lemon and water. Fill a pan with water and add several lemon slices. Place the pan of water on your stove and allow it to boil for about 30 minutes. The fresh lemon scent will feel your home. Using fresh lemons to scent your home will help you avoid problems if your prospective buyers have sensitivities to canned fragrances.
If you're in a hurry to sell your home, use the tips provided here to improve your chances. Talk to your realtor about other steps you can take to make your home more buyer-friendly.
