Set the Stage
Believe it or not….. it only takes buyers a few seconds to decide whether or not they are going to buy a home once they set foot in a house.
That is why it is so crucial to make a good first impression and also why setting the stage for a sale is so important!!
1. Declutter! !
Sometimes we are so comfortable with our “stuff” we don’t recognize we have clutter. Step back take a good look; let Bouwman Realty Group do a “declutter walk through” with you (sounds silly but it works!) In the kitchen you should move appliances, jars and any other counter top clutter. After you’ve cleared the counter tops, clean them thoroughly. Repeat this process in your bathrooms. Next move to the other rooms; this is a good time to begin packing up things for the move, pack up all those knick knacks, get all the “stuff” off your dressers. Clean and simple will sell your home!
2. Paint with a fresh light neutral color !
Paint is relatively inexpensive but can make an incredible difference when marketing your home! That teal accent wall may be beautiful to you but it could be the buyer’s least favorite color (we’ll say it again, buyers are emotional creatures). The same goes for bedrooms, your daughter may be adorable in her pink princess bedroom but the buyer may have a boy or no children at all; buyers like to picture themselves in the home. We need to create that vision. Stick with light neutral tones; light bright colors make your home look more open and have a better feel.
3. Make your Home Smell Nice! !
Bake cookies or brownies before a showing, familiar “homey” scents adds to a positive emotional experience. Make your place smell like “home” to them. If you don’t have the time, buy scented candles.
4. Scrub and Clean!
We can’t emphasis enough, the importance of a deep cleaned spotless home. When your home is first listed, do a deep cleaning this makes a showing easier for a spotless presentation. Clean the Garage, try staging your closets as though they were professional displays, it can be a hoot, really! I know you can do it!
5. Make the Temperature Perfect! !
House staging isn’t just a visual and olfactory exercise; there is a comfort aspect to it as well. Set your heat or air conditioning to the perfect temperature for the time of your showing.
6. Get the Pets Out! !
When you have a showing, take your pets with you. Don’t leave Rover locked in the back room or in a crate; take your son’s pet boa constrictor to the neighbors. Some people really don’t care for animals and it can be a negative distraction. Take all evidence of your pets away too, you may love Muffin, but some people are allergic to cats or associate them with bad order, hide that litter box!!
7. Fix, Replace and Update Things! !
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make a HUGE difference. A minor repair that might take you 10 minutes to fix could be a $500.00 repair in the buyer’s eyes. Don’t give buyers an excuse to low ball you or to walk away. Replace out dated lighting and plumbing fixtures. If your carpet is old and stained replace it. We at Bouwman Realty Group will help you use your time and money wisely when making these decisions. We have a professional designer who can assist you too!
8. Crank Up the Curb Appeal! !
The front of your home is the first thing prospective buyers see, so you better make it beautiful. Good home and yard maintenance is a must, did you power wash, step up the landscaping and flower bed? A freshly painted front door, gleaming hardware, and a few beautiful potted plants on the front porch make a great first impression. Take a hard look at any fencing you have in the front yard. How are the driveway and sidewalk? Wash those windows!!
JUST REMEMBER all your hard work will pay off !!!! !
