We are all aware that the housing market that once was flourishing is now
struggling. This is great news for people interested in purchasing a home
because home values have decreased, and there is an abundant supply of homes
available, making it a buyer’s market.
So what can you do to make your home stand out among the crowd?
-
Be careful not to overprice your house. Values are not appreciating like they
have in the past, and in some cases, the home value may have actually
depreciated. Understand what options potential buyers have with other homes on
the market. Consider speaking to a licensed real estate agent who can research
the comparable sales in your area to help price your home competitively.
-
Curb appeal is the first thing a potential buyer notices about a home, and you
want to make a good impression. This means you should make sure the exterior of
your home is in good order. Try making the flower beds simple, but attractive
with some colorful flowers or plants, removing any lawn ornaments, toys and
other clutter from the yard space and making sure the lawn stays mowed and
neatly trimmed. Once you’ve done all this work, don’t forget to keep the plants
and yard watered.
-
When potential buyers enter your home, they should be greeted by a space they
can picture moving right in to. This means you may have to remove personal
decorations such as family photos, collectibles and knickknacks. Buyers don’t
want to see a lot of evidence of the current homeowner – it makes it too
difficult to picture their own items there, which makes them less likely to be
interested in making an offer on your home.
-
Freshen up the paint in your home, at least in the main living areas. If you
have dark paneling, paint it a light color. If you have a house full of bold
color, you may want to tone it down to appeal to a wider pool of potential
buyers. Try choosing a soothing, neutral palette of color to add warmth to your
home. Be sure to repair any cracks, holes and other damage you may have on your
walls before you begin painting.
-
Finally, make sure your home is spotless. Many realtors recommend having a
cleaning company come in to give your house a thorough cleaning right before
you put it on the market. If that isn’t an option, be sure to scrub floors,
clean baseboards, dust from top to bottom, vacuum, wipe counters, etc. Don’t
forget to clean the blades of any ceiling fans and shake your curtains out to
remove the dust.
The current market is a challenging one if you are trying to sell a home, but
that doesn’t mean it is impossible. By following the steps above, buyers will
remember your well-kept home, and it may be the one they want to call their
own.
