5 Affordable Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

 

Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

You will have a much easier time selling your house if you make it appealing to a larger number of buyers. Therefore, before you get any listing photos taken or schedule any open houses, you should declutter, depersonalize, and stage your home. Doing this doesn’t have to cost much money at all, and it can reduce the amount of time your home will be on the market.

Remove Half Your Stuff

If you want to make your home look more spacious and tempting to buyers, the best thing you can do is remove 25 to 50 percent of your belongings. For example, if you take half your clothes out of your closet and pack them away, your closet will look much bigger. The same thing applies when it comes to furniture and other items. According to the Los Angeles Times, the average American household has 300,000 things. Unless you are already a minimalist, your home could benefit from serious decluttering. For items that you no longer use or want, you can sell, donate, or recycle them. For things you want to keep but are cluttering your home, you can store them in out-of-sight spots or off your property altogether.

Put Away Your Personal Items

When buyers are shopping for a new home, they want to picture it with their own decor and furniture. They also want to see the features of the actual house, not just your paintings and knickknacks. You can easily depersonalize your home in the following ways:

  • Get rid of large area rugs to show off your hardwood or tile floors.

  • Remove heavy curtains and other window treatments to let in natural light.

  • Pack away any family photos, unusual artwork, sports trophies, religious and political items, and kitschy collections you have on display.

  • Open up the floor plan by taking out furniture pieces that may be useful to you.

Use the Power of Paint

Paint is relatively cheap, but it can make a big impact on the look of your home. If you have any rooms painted in dark or unique colors, repaint them in neutral shades. Also, use paint to touch-up molding, trim, and anything else that could use a quick update.

Boost the Curb Appeal

First impressions matter when it comes to selling your house. Many buyers will scratch a home off their list because of how it looks from the outside. Keep your lawn neatly mowed and trimmed, not just for the photos and open houses, but all the way until it’s sold. You never know when you’ll have to do a last-minute showing. Make your front entry more inviting with the use of potted plants and flowers. Clean out your rain gutters, wash your windows, replace any missing siding, and paint your shutters and trim. Small items, such as new hardware on the front door or a simple welcome mat, can make your home look more inviting.

Stage It Yourself

Staging your home before you take listing photos or videos can lead to more foot traffic coming through your door for open houses and showings. Studies show that staged homes sell faster and for higher sale prices than homes that are not staged. You don’t need to hire a professional stager. These simple DIY tips can put your home in a positive light:

  • Don’t have more than three primary pieces of furniture in each room.

  • Use white bedding, towels, bath mats, and shower curtains.

  • Add soft, textured throw pillows to stage dated sofas.

  • Remove all small appliances from the kitchen counters.

  • Deep clean your whole house, paying special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.

  • Get toys, pet items, and toiletries out of sight.

  • Open the windows instead of using air fresheners.

  • Bake a batch of cookies or cupcakes right before an open house for potential buyers.

By decluttering, depersonalizing, and staging your home, you can focus on the house’s best assets and remove any distractions that will hinder buyers from seeing the true potential of your home. By following these suggestions, you will hopefully receive multiple offers in no time.