Spring Has Almost Sprung | Vistas’ Home Selling Tips
Pretty soon, spring will have sprung, and if you’re thinking about transitioning to a 55+ Active Adult Community, chances are you might be downsizing and in need of some home selling tips. With the real estate market about to be abuzz with a higher inventory of homes on the market, homebuyers can afford to be choosy. Buyers are looking for the best for their investment, so a home for sale can easily be overlooked if it’s not in pristine condition. Following these 10 tips can most certainly help you make an inviting first impression and wow potential buyers.
Spruce up your landscaping. Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression – even before a potential homebuyer steps out of their car – so make sure your home’s lawn is immaculate. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and plant some flowers. No need to break the bank, here… a little color goes a long way.
Clean the outside. An unkempt exterior will make buyers think you’ve slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the gutters, pressure wash your home’s siding, make the windows shine, and tidy-up the refuse area – even moving trash/recycling receptacles to the garage or backyard.
Make repairs. In a buyer’s market, you want your home to be in the best condition possible. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof that could turn buyers off.
Make the front door inviting. A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so buyers can see them from the curb, and if your budget allows, replacing your entry door hardware can make a more welcome impression.
Buy a new welcome mat. Let buyers know they’re invited into your home.
Remove clutter and depersonalize. Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home. Clean up by renting a storage unit for knickknacks, photos, extra furniture and other personal items. This is a detail that is super important, but unfortunately overlooked by so many home sellers.
Organize closets and drawers. Messy closets give the impression that your home doesn’t have enough storage space. Renting that storage unit for a couple of months could easily remedy this and allow you to accentuate your home’s closet space – no matter how sparse it might be – rather than have it appear inept.
Make every surface shine. From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between, clean your home until it sparkles. Investing in a professional cleaning crew will go a long way here, for sure.
Take color down a notch. You might like your merlot-red bedroom, but it may deter buyers or make them anxious. Paint your walls a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Greys with a hint of beige are not only attractive, but they tend to open a space up and really allow a homebuyer to envision their belongings there.
Eliminate any odors. Hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. If you have a musty basement, but sure to run a dehumidifier for several weeks – even months, to remedy any odor. When showing the home, fill it with inviting aromas by putting out fresh flowers and baking a batch of cookies.
Are you ready to explore maintenance-free resort-style living – right here on Long Island? Now that you’re aware of some home selling tips, contact us at The Vistas of Port Jefferson to schedule your personal tour today!