“You can’t judge a book by its cover” may be great advice but today’s home buyers won’t do more than glance at your home, “the book,” unless it has something that draws them in. Furthermore, you need to ensure that your home doesn’t have issues that may actually repel buyers. If you want buyers to look at more than just “the cover,” and seriously consider buying your home you will need to prepare your home to make a great first impression.
Keep in mind, first impressions are critical and most buyers decide whether they are interested in your home within the first few seconds of walking through the front door. Take a look at your home from a buyer’s perspective so you can better understand what needs to be done to ensure your home makes that great first impression.
A trip to the home center and a little work can make a big difference in buyer interest, and what they are willing to pay for your home. Here are some tips and low cost home staging ideas that will make a big difference in your home’s appeal.
Declutter -
If you ask real estate agents for their number one recommendation to sellers, most would agree that you should “declutter” your home. I can’t tell you how many times I have been showing homes to buyers, when we walk into a very cluttered home and the buyer’s body language immediately tells me that they are ready to go. Some of these homes had great potential, but the buyers couldn’t see the potential through all the clutter.
Books, magazines, sticky notes, pens, video games, sports equipment, lawn equipment, litter boxes, phones books, grills, broken grills, lawn furniture, sitting next to broken lawn furniture, and so much more can really hurt your chances of selling your home.
Buyers are looking for a home that will meet their needs and space for their things is critical. The more clutter you have the less space they will see for their things. And if buyers don’t see the space they need for their things they will move on. I’m sure you get the “declutter” idea, so let’s move on with the “less is more” rule in mind.
Curb Appeal -
From the moment prospective buyers pull into your driveway for the first time they will be judging your home. What will they see as they pull into your driveway? Will they see a clean, nicely edged driveway? Or will they have to dodge the trash cans, only to see the dirty driveway with grass growing through the cracks? It doesn’t cost anything to edge and sweep the driveway, and this will make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal. While your out there, don’t forget to put away those trash cans.
Entrance -
Now that the buyers are out of the car and approaching the front door, what are they seeing? Are they walking down a nicely edged and clean walkway, are the hedges trimmed, are the flower beds freshly mulched? And what about that door? Is the door clean, or better yet freshly painted? Is the doorbell working and not hanging by the wire? Has your welcome mat seen its better days? A new welcome mat is a very inexpensive way to make a grander entrance. Don’t forget the spider webs above the door.
Smells -
Make no mistake about it, the way your home smells plays a key role in your home’s appeal. Some buyers will pass on your home based on the way it smells. This may sound sound petty but it happens everyday. Many people struggle with allergies and if your home has pet, smoke, or moldy smells, many buyers will just move on.
If you have smells, you will need to find the source and get rid of the odor somehow. There are a lot of articles about “how to get rid of odors” on the internet, so I’ll leave you a few of my favorites:
- Clean, clean, and clean some more.
- Try a water/white vinegar mixture for cleaning and reducing pet odors.
- Place dryer sheets under furniture cushions and other places with stale smells.
- Move the litter box to the back porch or garage, and place a fresh box of baking soda next to it.
- Finish things off with some good scented candles. Yankee Candles work well and are pretty easy to find.
Closets -
Buyers are looking for a home with adequate storage for their needs. Overstuffed closets can give the impression that your home’s storage isn’t adequate for the buyer’s needs. Thoroughly clean out your closets and get rid of everything you no longer need.
Here are a few more ideas:
- Start from scratch by removing everything.
- Get rid of everything you no longer need.
- Buy some new hanger that match.
- Remove all dry cleaner plastic.
- Group your clothes by type and then by color.
- Use those stackable clear plastic boxes to organize your accessories.
- Get everything off the floor. Put shoes into shoe racks, and other items into the stackable boxes.
Bedding -
Upgrading your bedding makes a dramatic difference in your bedrooms, and it’s a quick low cost way to make your rooms feel new and fresh. Since your new bedding can be used in your new home, the money spent won’t be left in the home, which is a bonus.
Bathrooms -
Imagine the most luxurious of hotel bathrooms. A set of fluffy new white towels and a crisp new linen shower curtain can go a long way toward creating that feeling in your own home. Put out some extra towels rolled in baskets or folded neatly on the vanity. Move all of your shampoo bottles and personal products out of sight. Clean, clean, and clean some more. Consider painting the bathroom. Since bathrooms are relatively small, you get a new look without too much work.
Lighting -
Most sellers don’t give much thought to their lighting, yet it is critical to a home’s presentation. A poorly lit home just doesn’t show nearly as well as a brightly lit one.
Here are some low cost lighting ideas:
- Fluorescent lights may save energy, but they are not the best for creating a warm feeling in your home. Change the fluorescent bulbs for the softer incandescent light bulbs where possible.
- Install halogen floodlights in all your recessed ceiling fixtures. Halogen gives off a brighter, cooler light and is used to illuminate the merchandise in upscale stores.
- Install clear incandescent bulbs in light fixtures where you see the bulb.
- Lamps are a must in bedrooms, your home office, etc. Don’t rely on ceiling lights alone.
- Make sure all the bulbs in the chandelier are the same type.
Price -
When all else fails, the right price can sell any home. If you want to get top dollar for your home, you will need to do the things that are necessary to appeal to today’s picky buyers. No marketing in the world will cause a buyer to pick a home they see as inferior to the competition. Today you will face extreme competition.
Professional Staging -
If you don’t have the time and you are willing to spend a little money, I highly recommend hiring a professional staging company. A professional stager can make a big difference in creating the appeal that will ensure buyers look at more than just “the cover.”
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