Few life events can match the intensity of selling a home. Not only does the act involve emotions (this is where the children were born!); it also affects your bank account, typically representing an individual's largest investment. Though selling a home can be a lot of work, follow these suggestions and you'll have much better chance of a quick and profitable sale:
Improve Curb Appeal First impressions are vitally important to potential buyers. An appealing, well-maintained façade and beautifully tended garden are likely translate into thousands of dollars from a prospective bid. In fact, in addition to kitchen and bathroom improvements, real estate agents list exterior renovations within the top three renovations to increase your home's resale value.
Emphasize Space According to designer Karen Kayne, "Buyers' needs vary widely, but one thing most agree on is a preference for rooms that breathe." Kayne is the owner of Kayne Interior Design Inc. and she offers this suggestion, "Consider removing one or more pieces of furniture from main living areas. The living room may look much larger when a second sofa is removed. The kitchen may feel more spacious when table leaves are stored out of sight. If it's spring or summer, take away a busy area carpet and reveal a glowing hardwood floor beneath.
Edit In The Decoration of Houses, interior designer Alexandra Stoddard says de-thugging (or de-cluttering) is the first step to organization. First, figure out what items you can live without and either give them away or sell them. These are things that you rarely or never use; items you won't want to pay a mover to relocate anyway. Next, remove clutter from table tops, mantel, coffee tables, and other display areas. Create additional space in closets and drawers; areas the potential buyer will critically assess. If things aren't crammed into storage areas, the prospective buyer perceives more room for his or her belongings. Make sure to contain newspapers and magazines and hide mail (especially home repair bills) from view.
Decorate with Neutrals Neutral colours and natural materials that flow from room to room are proven to have the widest appeal. Keep walls and window coverings clean and fresh by choosing neutral colours such as sand, bisque, ivory, and taupe. If walls and ceilings look tired, a fresh coat of paint is perhaps the single biggest improvement you can make. When selecting a ceramic or vinyl flooring opt for materials that mimic natural stone; which is perceived to have greater value.
De-personalize To sell a home quickly, it's essential to create an environment in which the potential buyer can picture his or her family. In order to do that, make an effort to de-personalize rooms. Remove anything that defines the space as "yours". Take down family photos and children's artwork. Opt for paintings that are neutral or inoffensive such as a landscape or still life. "And", says Kayne, "make sure to create inviting vignettes." Kayne encourages clients to set the dining room table as if they were expecting guests. "That way a potential buyer can envision hosting his or her own party in the future."
Quick Fix Take inventory of anything that needs to be fixed, patched or painted. Little maintenance or cosmetic trouble spots can turn a buyer off. Make sure bathrooms and kitchen sparkle and shine. If you work full time and can't spare the extra effort to keep things in tip top order, it's well worth the investment to hire a professional cleaning service while your home is on the market. Clean windows to reveal a glorious view. Open all draperies to let in as much light as possible. In addition, make sure that every light has a clean, working light bulb and turn on all lights prior to a showing.
Appeal to the Senses "When buyers come to inspect your home", says Kayne, "make sure to have soft music playing in the background. Vivaldi's Four Seasons is a perennial favourite." In winter light a fire or light scented candles in room such as the living room, powder room, and bedroom. No one can resist the smell of baked cookies or bread, so keep some cookie dough on hand and bake a batch 20 minutes before the potential buyer arrives. During the holidays, hot apple cider does the trick nicely as well.
