Thinking of putting your home on the market this Spring? If you want it to sell fast and for top dollar you’ll need to spend some time and effort getting it ready for open houses.
Luckily there are lots of simple ways to prepare your home for market that won’t break the bank! Sometimes it’s the small finishing touches that can really make your home shine and catch a potential buyer’s eye.
Check out our 7 tips to make your home look its absolute best.
- Make it shine
First impressions count, and a spotlessly clean home will entice potential buyers in to look around. Discerning buyers will be looking closely: you can be sure they’ll spot the lone cobweb swaying from the ceiling and the smudge marks on the doors.You can do a Spring clean yourself but remember, it’ll need to be much more than a quick whip round with a vacuum cleaner. And please take special care if you have pets. Rugs and carpets will need to be steam cleaned to omit offensive stains and odors. Hire a professional Surfaceworks cleaner to do a deep clean including cleaning ovens, ducts, tile/grout, walls and carpets. - Clear out the clutter
Give the impression of space and roominess by clearing out excess furniture, donating old books and storing knickknacks. You will be amazed at how much larger your home looks without all the clutter.You don’t have to devoid your home of all its artworks and furniture but packing away personal pictures and mementos will help home buyers envision themselves within the home you are trying to sell. - Lighten and brighten
A light filled, airy home is much more attractive to a buyer than a dark, closed in space.For starters, pull back all the curtains and check the state of the windows. If they’re extremely dusty and dirty, a Surfaceworks window treatment can make them sparkle inside and out. If you have thick, dark curtains consider swapping them out for a neutral color.Changing outdated lighting fixtures is also a cost-efficient home improvement that doesn’t require you to dip into your savings. - Improve curb appeal
As we mentioned, first impressions count, so it’s important to work on your curb appeal as it will entice buyers and bring them through the front door. At the very least, concentrate on basic maintenance such as, mowing the lawn, raking up leaves, trimming hedges, pruning trees and weeding.
Further suggestions to improve curb appeal include:
– planting flowers along the front path
– repainting front door
– pressure cleaning the house exterior
– pressure cleaning the driveway
– painting the fence
– replacing the mailbox - A fresh coat of paint
If your home’s interior is looking tired, then a fresh coat of paint will perk it up. Choose a sophisticated neutral color as it will appeal to a larger number of buyers and take it throughout the home to make the rooms feel connected. You can then add pops of color in the form of rugs, soft furnishings and accessories to give individual rooms visual appeal. - Bathroom refresh
If you’ve just repainted the bathroom, it’s a good idea to also replace vanity knobs and pulls for a more modern look. Also check for leaky faucets and consider re-grouting your shower tiles. One thing that buyers will be looking for in your bathroom is storage so if yours is on the smaller side, consider these creative ways to add more storage. - Staging tips
Getting your home professionally staged is highly recommended as it can make a big difference in how much a potential buyer will offer. But professional staging isn’t cheap, so you may want to go with the DIY option. Check out these 21 staging tips from Houzz which include:
- Styling your dining room table
- Rearranging your lounge furniture to create an inviting conversation area
- Creating a gender-neutral master bedroom
- Styling the bathroom
- How you can use awkward areas such as nooks or alcoves
- Staging the outdoor area
If you’re serious about selling for the best price possible, contact Surfaceworks to clean before and after your open houses! We are also happy to coordinate with your realtor directly to ensure that we are in and out of your home in a timely, stress-free manner.
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