The Houston housing market is hot. That’s why you are looking at your home – and considering how to get it ready to sell.
If you’re like many homeowners, you know the ins and outs of your abode. That’s why you can look in the mirror and say with a straight face, “Our place is positioned to fly.”
Let’s look at the key steps that can help have a happy and delightful experience of selling your home to a qualified buyer.
Check The Basics
If you know that there’s a major repair to be done – handle it.
Perhaps you need to contact a roofing contractor so you can sleep at night. You want the next owner to not have leaks, drips, or roof problems. Do a quick Internet search for “how to hire a roofing contractor” and find a reputable expert in your area.
If you are aware of ancient electrical wiring, faulty plumbing, or vulnerable problems – fix them. While you can’t rebuild the place from the ground up, you can take care of the problems you’re already aware of. Do a similar online search for “how to hire a plumbing contractor” or “how to hire an electrical contractor” to find the best home repair professional.
Fluff The Front
It’s a lot like your Mom told you, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.”
A potential buyer will get a first impression of your home, only one time. Check the front door. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2021 report, 78% of Realtors find that a freshly painted front door boosts the curb appeal of your home.
Clean Professionally
When you’re selling your home, step back and let someone else do the final polish. Get your home professionally cleaned. Approximately 85% of Realtors said that this helps to sell homes for top prices.
A professional cleaning positions your home to sell at top dollar.
DeClutter – For Real
If you’ve been waiting until now to declutter your home, now is the time to get into gear. You may have heard of Marie Kondo and the KonMari method. Kondo wrote the best-selling book on decluttering, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”
Kondo’s method can help you clear out clutter – fast.
Kondo recommends a specific system to sort items by category—clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous, and then, mementos. While deciding, hold each item while asking a key question, “Does this spark joy?” If the answer is: “Yes!” keep the item. If the answer is: “No,” put it in a give-away pile.
Kondo recommends taking time to give thanks to each item you’re discarding. She also advises making decisions quickly and completely.
This is most easily done by placing give-away items directly into garbage bags. Take the bags out of the house right away. Put them in your car and drive to one of the many donation sites. Popular donation sites include Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul’s, Hospice, and charity organizations in your community.
One important thing for homeowners is to be strategic about the order of decluttering. If you start without seasonal clothes, you’ll move quickly. If you start with photographs or mementos, things may move to a halt.
Boost Curb Appeal
As you think about selling, take the time to drive up to your home. What do you notice? What would you notice if you were seeing it for the first time?
You may want to clear up and revitalize two areas: the driveway and the front entry. These areas contribute to making a strong first impression for potential buyers.
Enhance Sense Appeal
There’s a lot to be said for enhancing the senses.
This tip is especially important for open houses, realtor previews, and personal appointment days.
Check all the senses – visual enhancement may include flowers and plants at the front gate, flower pots at the door, and colorful throw pillows in the living room. Auditory senses could be heightened with the choice of music for the open house, bird songs, or the soothing sounds of a fountain.
Some realtors bake cookies and prepare strong coffee to enhance the welcoming smells of a home. Others rely on fragrant candles, flowers, and room fresheners to provide a fresh aroma.
As you explore ways to enhance the sensory appeal of your home –look at the interiors and exteriors. With simple touches, you can create an attractive showcase of your home.
Sum Up
If you’re selling your home – take the time to set the stage for success.