It’s amazing how the simplest things can have such a huge impact on a home seller’s net proceeds. The old saying “it’s the little things that count” aptly applies to home selling. If you have decided to sell your Austin home you have made one of the biggest decisions in your life. However, before you call a Realtor to list your home for sale, there are several things that you’ll need to consider. Getting your home ready for sale can take as long as six months to prepare depending on the condition, age of the house and how long you’ve lived there. Here are three focal points to keep in mind that will help maximize your net return.
Clutter Consumes Equity
Buyers cannot see through your stuff. Start packing and get rid of everything you don’t need. Why take the chance that the best buyer can’t ignore your décor, furnishings and personal things. Studies show that buyers unconsciously think that they will have to deal with your stuff and the mess you leave. My guideline is that 50% of the “stuff” in your home needs to be removed before you list it for sale. Consider renting a storage unit. For about $100.00/month you can give the buyer a clear, un-fettered and un-cluttered field of view. Buyers do not like offensive odors, cobwebs, dust, dirt, dirty dishes, dirty clothes, trash, litter boxes, smelly pets, cigarette/cigar smoke, littered yards, un-mowed lawns, over-grown shrubbery, shabby front doors and just about anything else that detracts from your home’s appearance.
Cleanliness Builds Equity
A dirty house will cost YOU MONEY. Did you read that? A dirty house will cost you MONEY! If your house is not white glove, curb to closet, gutter to garage clean, it will have an adverse effect on what your house will sell for.
Hire a Professional Cleaning Crew
Consider hiring a professional cleaning crew to do a thorough, deep cleaning of your home…..and then keep it that way – yes, I know that’s inconvenient. I once had a crew clean my home and it took them 10 hours. Now I know my home was pretty clean. You might ask what they did for 10 hours? Well, they cleaned everything from the light bulbs –yes, they unscrewed each one – to the window sills, using a professional home cleaning services is a guarantee that you’ll have a thoroughly cleaned home when they are done. Trust me when I tell you, my house smelled and felt much sweeter when they finished.
Paint Costs Much Less than Your First Price Reduction
I cannot stress the importance of a freshly painted, neutral color home. Yes, your daughter may love the enchanted painted forest theme in her bedroom. However, buyers have a very personal opinion of what is attractive and almost no sense of humor. In today’s market, you want your home to be Neat, Clean & Neutral. You want potential buyers to imagine they are living in your home. If you painted your home to conform to your unique sense of taste, they probably cannot imagine what it would look like if painted another color.
Focus on the Front Door and Entrance
While you are painting, take the time spruce up the main entrance to your house particularly the front door and trim. I can’t count the number of times I have stood on a front porch amid peeling paint on the door trim & railings…what a poor first impression. A $15 can of paint and a couple of hours of your time can bolster a buyer’s first take on your home.
Looking for More Value Added Improvements?
Check out Best DIY Home Improvements that Add Value for more inexpensive improvements you can do yourself to add value.
Need to Sell Your Home?
Check out our Austin Home Sellers page to learn how our home selling program is designed to sell your Austin home faster and for more money than any other agent. Call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.
How Much is My Austin Home Worth?
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