Want Buyers to feel at home? Here are some tips-

One of the top questions we receive is “What can I do to help sell my home that won’t cost a lot of money and time?” As a courtesy to you, we have put together a list of common inexpensive items you can do to help sell your home. The suggestions seem so simple and easy, yet when you do all the suggestions it leads to a big impact when helping you sell your home for top dollar, in the shortest amount of time. In addition to these suggestions, our clients receive a fully customized list tailored for their property prior to listing.

1.    Start simple, clean all the windows. When sunshine pours into a space, the right lighting can evoke a divine glow throughout. 

2.    Replace all burnt out or mismatched light bulbs. Use the proper wattage for showcasing the space to potential buyers. For example, if you have a dark basement, try using bright white bulbs instead of low wattage cool bulbs. 

3.    Smells are one of the top reasons buyers pass on buying a house. Think of it as creating a neutral smell throughout the house. When people smell harsh animal or cooking scents they tend to believe the house needs a complete renovation with new flooring throughout, etc. (thanks HGTV).  It’s in your best interest to deep clean any areas that carry a heavy scent. Move the kitty litter box if needed, and in some cases get the vents cleaned. 

4.    Caulk any areas that need it. Generally we find mildew in or around the tub on the caulk. We suggest removing the old, and running a new line of caulk to create a fresh clean feel. There are many areas around the home that you can caulk to create a more polished finished product; Tub, sinks, windows, trim, etc…Clean lines subconsciously tell the buyer “this is a well taken care of home.”

5.    Have Built In’s? Consider painting or lining with wallpaper. Be bold and create a WOW FACTOR by showing off and highlighting the space. 

6.    Use plants to brighten up your space. Don’t have a green thumb? Don’t worry about it; Nowadays faux plants have come a long way, and have even been known to trick me. A great hack is to re-pot the faux plant in a new container, and when you do, use real dirt.

7.    How visible are the house numbers? Seems like a no brainer- amiright? Over the years house numbers fade and it’s hard for buyers to know which house they’re going to look at when the house numbers aren’t visible. It is easy to find attractive house numbers that will add a pop to your curb appeal. This is an easy DIY or you can find people to make address boards for you on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, etc.. 

8.    Create space in your closets and cabinets. One common mistake we see when sellers aren’t guided through the home selling process is they believe buyers will “look past” their possessions, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If your home is bursting at the seams, most likely they will see the same scenario for themselves. Create as much space as possible when showcasing your home to potential buyers. I personally enjoy going through spaces to find items to donate to friends, family, local shelters and churches.   
                                         

My pro tip: Read the book (ask us for a copy and we’ll send it to you) or watch Netflix’s Tidying up with Marie Kondo. In addition, for me donating goods makes the process more enjoyable. When I know I'm bettering someone else's life I keep giving and it feels amazing. We donate gently used blankets, sheets, kitchen items, to the Family Resources Center of the Quad Cities. We recommend you do the same or find a cause that speaks to you.

 9.    Look UP! Look up and for dust, cobwebs, etc. Go around the house and remove all cobwebs, and dust- on blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents and don’t dismiss your basement. So often people dismiss their basement- we get it, you only go down there to laundry so you don’t see a collection of Charlotte's Webs throughout the space, let this serve as a friendly reminder to love on your entire basement space because buyers want to see the entire space. 

10.    Use welcoming paint colors to create spaces where friends and family want to gather. Paint is the quickest and least expensive way to spruce up your space. I highly recommend calling us for personalized paint colors. Trends come and go and if you’re going to paint, we suggest only painting once. Many people get excited and paint using the wrong color, putting themselves in the same position as they were in before. One of my favorite neutral colors right now is Passive Gray by Sherwin Williams. But even with a great color, not all are created equal in every house. How much lighting your room gets (natural and artificial), the direction your home faces, woodwork, flooring all effect how a paint color will look.

We can’t express how important it is to consult a professional for input. We enjoy all things design and real estate, feel free to pick our brains!

If you found this post helpful and would like your customized list tailored for your property, click the link below or you can call/text us at (563)940-9929 to schedule an appointment.

Sell My Home Fast!