Are you getting ready to sell your home? In a competitive real estate market, you need to make your home stand out to attract the right buyer and to sell for a number close to your asking price. Making your home more attractive takes some time and effort, but it’ll be worth it when the sale goes through.
1. Make Any Necessary Repairs
Showing a home in need of repair will turn off potential buyers. Go through your home from top to bottom to determine what needs to be fixed and what can wait. Anything obvious, like a leaky roof or broken window, should be fixed immediately. Look for minor issues that could make buyers worry you haven’t taken care of the place, such as cracked walkways or distressed-looking faucets.
2. Organize Your Closets
People who want to buy your home will look everywhere, and even your closet will make an impression. You want everything to appear orderly and neat. An overstuffed, overflowing closet sends the opposite vibe. Try these tips for taming your closet.
- Remove half the stuff in the closet so everything fits comfortably.
- Invest in a closet organizer to keep everything in its place.
- Limit the number of shoes on the floor, which can look sloppy.
3. Freshen Up Your Space
Take into consideration any unpleasant odors that may be lurking in areas of your home, such as near the cat’s litter box or your garbage can and address any ongoing issues that may make your house smell less than agreeable.
Open windows to let fresh air in and be sure to give your home a thorough cleaning before listing. Change the litter box and take out your trash prior to showings and open houses.
4. Remove Clutter from Every Room
Rooms jammed with stuff feel smaller and less inviting than those with minimal furnishings. While you should obviously clean your home before selling, you should also declutter each room, removing anything that doesn’t have an immediate purpose. That means putting things like extra chairs, ironing boards, pictures, and more into storage. More open space will make the room feel bigger. You’ll also want to remove personal items like family photos or children’s artwork so the potential buyer can picture themselves, instead of your family, in the home.
All the decluttering and depersonalizing of your home can leave you with a lot of things to store, and you may not have the space. Rent a storage unit for a few months so you don’t have to worry about keeping your things hidden. You may find yourself removing more than you initially expected. This process will also help you determine what items you want to keep versus donating or throwing away.
5. Consider Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Does your home look move-in ready? You’ll want to take the time to make any small updates that will make your house look refreshed, such as replacing faded house numbers or adding a fresh coat of paint to a faded door.
Is your landscaping out front looking less than healthy? Simply planting some colorful flowers or pulling out dead or dying plants can spruce up your home’s curb appeal, too.
Get Help Preparing Your Home for Sale
If you’re ready to prep your home for sale but are falling short on the cash needed to make the necessary repairs or renovations, PSECU has several home equity and other loan options that can help you bridge the gap while you prepare to sell your home. Visit our website to learn more about our loan offerings.
