Whether you have sold a home before or this is the first time, it is important that you are able to get top dollar for your house. Sure, there are simple ways to improve the look and feel of your home – making it look spotless, turning on your diffuser for a pleasant aroma before showings, and displaying fresh flowers are just a few. While these efforts won’t go unnoticed by many, if you want to maximize your profits, follow along. The following are 10 ways to get the most out of your home…
#1: The First Thing Potential Buyers Will See – The Outside of Your Home
A positive first impression will set the tone for how your home is perceived by potential buyers. Look at your home from the road. Does it have curb appeal? Is your driveway in need of repairs? Are your flower beds overgrown? What about your mailbox, is it old and starting to lean? These details matter. If your home doesn’t impress from the outside, it will take more time and money to make the inside stand out enough to seal the deal.
Invest in the outside of your home before you list. Replace your mailbox, weed your gardens, get a new door mat, touch up the paint on your shutters. These simple, cost-effective fixes are sure to help you get the most out of your home.
#2: Make Sure Your Rooms Serve The Purpose They Were Intended To Serve
Helping buyers see themselves living in your home is key to selling it. If you have repurposed your dining room to make it more functional for your family, it’s time to throw a dining room table in there and clear the clutter. Have an office space but no desk or chair, invest in one– you can find great deals, so you are not out a whole bunch up front. Have an empty loft but you’re not sure what to do with that space? Get an accent chair and a bookshelf to fill the space. Create the vision of home for your buyers so that they never want to leave.
#3: Reglazing Dated Bathrooms
Old bathrooms with bold, dated tile need to be reglazed. Let’s face it, most buyers are not looking for a bathroom that looks straight out of the 70s. For a few hundred dollars, you can reglaze the tile and make it look on trend. Kitchens and bathrooms have a big impact on your ability to sell a home. By making even the smallest improvements to those spaces, you can see a big difference in how many potential buyers your home will attract upon listing.
#4: Making Buyers Fall For Your Home By Giving It A Story
A simple, short letter that talks about your life in the home will mean so much to buyers. Talk about your journey in your home, raising children, making it your own, and how much this space meant to you. Frame it and put in your entryway or on your kitchen counter near listing print outs. When sellers are able to create an emotional connection with buyers, there is a bigger chance they will pay more for the house.
#5: Listing Under Instead of Over Market Value
It has been proven that homes that are listed under market value will bring in more prospective buyers than those listed over market value. Many sellers worry that in listing below value, they are not leaving any room for negotiations, but this is not true. Instead, buyers tend to be more motivated when they see more bids on a home which will often drive the sales price up above market value.
#6: Give Buyers The Low Down On Local Favorites
Including information in your listing that buyers can only get from you will be well received. Inform your buyers of the best local coffee shop, restaurants, and shops. If they are new to the area, this will especially be a hit.
#7: Describe Life In The Neighborhood
Think of everything that makes your neighborhood unique. Is it close to a community park or pool? Are families often outside playing? Any annual block parties? Do you and your neighbor meet at the mailbox and chat every now and then? Each of these little things could be big for buyers who want a sense of community for their family to grow and thrive.
#8: List All The Extras
Do you have installed cameras or a security system that will stay? Motion-sensitive lighting outside? Is your garage door set on a timer that ensures it is closed when the sun goes down? While these bonus features have become everyday life for you, they can make buyers feel safe, secure, and as if everything has been taken care of, which will of course make them willing to spend a little more.
#9: Do A Virtual Tour
The majority of listings offer great descriptions and pictures of the home, but virtual tours go the extra mile when it comes to drawing in potential buyers. These can be done on a budget by an amateur, so you are not overspending. When made well, virtual tours can create the same experience as an open house will for your buyers.
#10: A Pre-Inspection
Of course, buyers will still want to do their own home inspection, but a pre-inspection will give buyers an idea of the condition of the home prior to making an offer so it is a win for both parties. This is an effort that many do not make so it is sure to impress and assure them that you are not hiding anything which shows a level of honesty and integrity that they likely won’t see at many other properties.
Tom Reese has 20+ years experience in helping his clients sell their homes for a price that sells and makes them a profit. Tom has helped his clients buy and sell property in every neighborhood in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
About Tom Reese
Helping my clients attain their dreams has been the foundation of my success. With my strong attention to customer service, I have earned my clients continued support and referrals. Put my enthusiasm and dedication to work for you!
Call Tom anytime at (859) 393-1293