Here at Legacy Properties West, we know preparing your home to sell can be a big task, but it’s also a rewarding one. Selling a home isn’t like selling other items. A home is the largest investment many people will ever make. True, you can get your home listed fairly quickly, but it won’t position you for success by any means. You don’t want to just list without any advance preparation. A prepped home is more marketable, and a few minor projects can go a long way towards making a favorable impression. Homes that are clean, and in top shape tend to command a higher price than properties in less desirable conditions. Prepping your home before listing is an effort that can translate to a faster sale.
From ceiling fans to baseboards and everything in between, you’ll want to clean your home until it sparkles. Dust all surfaces including fan blades and the area under furniture. Have carpets cleaned and floors polished. Windows should be clean and spot-free and all window coverings should be clean and fresh. Don’t forget to clean the outside and well as the interior. Pressure wash sidewalks, sidings and decks. Make sure gutters are free of debris. If you’ve already moved out or if you’re schedule is full, consider hiring a cleaning service to keep your home maintained.
All those little things you’ve been meaning to do but never got around to? Now is the time. Tighten loose doorknobs, fix leaky faucets and replace that hallway lightbulb. Repair defects like cracked tiles and be sure to patch up any holes in the walls. Address doors that don’t close properly, and kitchen drawers that jam. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof that could discourage buyers from your property. Invest the time to address any obvious repairs. It’s likely they’ll show up on the buyer’s inspection with a request for repair or price reduction and you can save yourself the hassle in advance.
Eliminate any bad odors that may be lingering. The day of showing, avoid cooking foods with strong smells like bacon or fish. Hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. When showing a home, you want it to be filled with inviting smells. Consider placing fresh flowers in vases, baking a batch of cookies, or strategically placing scented candles. .
You want buyers to focus on how beautiful the space is, not how messy it looks. Remove any unsightly clutter that detracts from your homes features. Organize storage spaces and closets. Storage space is a huge selling point, and if your closets are stuffed to the brim, buyers will think your home doesn’t have enough of it. Also, remove books from bookcases and other knickknacks, and clean as much as possible off your kitchen counters.
Buyers want to envision themselves living in the home, not see pictures of your Aunt Edna on the mantle. Pack up photographs, family heirlooms, and other personal objects. You want to present buyers with an impersonal environment so they can imagine the home decorated with their own photographs and personal effects. Regarding furniture, leave only understated pieces that don’t distract. Get rid of bulky pieces, oversized items could make your space look smaller than it really is. Also, remove any bright or statement pieces. If your taste in decor differs greatly from the potential buyer it may be difficult for them to envision their antique settee in the space you have a zebra couch and yellow rug.
As much as you may love your dramatic red dining room, deep colors could turn off a good portion of your buyers. Repaint the walls in softer tones like tans and whites. Your teenage daughter may fit perfectly in her dark plum bedroom, but it will be hard for a potential buyer to envision their three-year-old boy in that same space. Neutral colors will allow buyers to focus on the spaces themselves, not the color of the walls.
Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression. It’s not unheard of for a buyer to decide not to even enter a home based on its curb appeal. Make sure your home’s exterior looks excellent. Trim shrubs, weed your flower beds, repair peeling paint and, keep the walkway clear. Keep the lawn mowed and in perfect condition. Giving the front door a fresh coat of paint, or adding a row of potted plants along the walkway can go a long way. If there are any cracks in the walkway or front steps consider hiring a contractor to fix them before showing the home.
Back inside your home, take the time to linger in the doorway of each room and imagine how your home will look to a buyer. Examine the lighting, furnishings and decor. Make sure window coverings hang evenly. Once you’ve cleaned and gotten everything repaired and organized, you can begin staging your home. When in doubt, rely on your Legacy Properties West real estate agent. They’re the expert, and they’ll have a good pulse on what local Durango, CO buyers are looking for, and how to get your home up to speed for the current market. If you’re getting ready to list your home, give us a call today! We would love to be part of your home selling journey.