The housing market is booming right now and people are selling their homes far above market value. But this market bubble wont last forever and it may be harder to sell your home in the coming years. Here are seven tips to keep in mind if you are looking to sell in a few years:
Keep your home neat and clean for viewing.
Nothing turns a buyer off more than a dirty home. All buyers see when your place is dirty is the amount of work they have to put in. Also, if your home is cluttered it’s hard for people to picture the space without your stuff in it, which makes it hard for them to get a feel for how the space will fit their furniture.
Let as much light in as you can
People love light and bright spaces; it helps people have a positive mood when they walk throughout your home. If you can’t bring in natural light it will be important to strategically place lamps, chandeliers, and other light sources to help make the space feel brighter.
Have your home professional photographed
The majority of buyers are researching homes online before scheduling a viewing. Make a great first impression of your home and have a professional photograph take photos. This is usually something that your real estate will take care of, but some will try to cut corners and use their cell phone to take photos. It is recommended that you push to have a professional photographer take the photos.
Spruce up the outside of your property
Curb appeal does matter when selling a home and it acts as the first impression when potential buyers see your home. There are simple things that you can do to help spruce of the space:
- Plant flowers in the front in boxes or pots
- Trim trees and bushes
- Pressure-wash walkways, patios, and decks
- Make sure the outside it lit well. A buyer may drive by in the evening to view the property
Make sure your siding is good repair and the gutters are clean
Repaint in neutral colors
If you are in a competitive market it would be a benefit to repaint your walls to neutral colors. This goes a long way to helping buyers visualize their own personal touches into the home without doing a lot of work. The less work a buyer has to do when they buy a home the eager they will be to make the purchase.
Consider making updates
Dated kitchens and bathrooms can be a turnoff to potential buyer as it just screams work and money. But you don’t need to strip everything down. You can look at refacing your cabinets for a fresh, new look without the cost of a full remodel. You can do less expensive options like upgrading hardware or countertops. If the updates are done well, you will definitely see a return on your investment.
De-personalize your home
You love your home, but it is more important that other people love it as well. The more you can remove your personal stuff (family photos, memorabilia, collectables, etc) the more buyers can imagine themselves living there. Put a 1/3 of your stuff in storage, which will help declutter your home. You can also hire a home stager to help maximize your space.
Selling a home can be stressful, that’s why it is good to start the process early, especially if you need to make updates. Starting a couple of years ahead of when you need to move will allow you to focus on certain areas of your home as time and money allows.