Looking to sell your home in Rockland – and get top dollar into the bargain? Here’s how to give your house a head start in the race to seal the deal
You’ve finally made the decision to sell; you’ve rung the Realtors, got your valuations and put your house on the market, eagerly anticipating the thunder of footsteps as desperate buyers beat a path to your door. But getting a quick sale isn’t always as easy as you might think, and with the continued flattened property market you’ll need a whole arsenal of tricks to make your home stand out. So what’s the secret to getting a buyer from a considered ‘I’ll think about it’ to an enthusiastic ‘I’ll take it’?
First Impressions
One thing REALTORS know about is ‘curb appeal’ – making a good first impression. While you may be used to the worn window frames, the creeping ivy and the window boxes full of exotic weeds, a potential buyer will run for the hills.
Get out there and pressure-wash the front of your house and the path so that they gleam. Get rid of any tired window boxes or buy seasonal already-in-bloom shrubs and plant them. Have your windows cleaned and, better still, re-paint the frames. Clear the path, hide the trash cans (unless it’s pick up day!) and perhaps invest in a pair of matching trees in handsome pots for the porch. As for the creeping ivy, that will have to go. Curb appeal, ultimately, is key: you want your buyer to think that they will be buying into something special the minute they walk up your path.
Making an entrance
For many of us, the front hall is akin to a dumping ground. Sounds familiar? Start by tackling the closets: if summer jackets are no longer needed, move them into your wardrobe or better still start packing and use large plastic tubs to clearly identify each seasons clothing and store in the attic or basement ready for the move. Leave only what you need hanging up and tidy the jumble of shoes lying beneath. Clear the hall table of keys, candy and cinema tickets – the usual debris of everyday life. It’s a nice touch to create a display with a vase of flowers or a tasteful pair of candlesticks, but don’t overdo it. Forget the smell of baking or ground coffee, which reeks of trying too hard. Instead, try aromatherapy oil burners to create a welcoming ambience. Lemongrass is always a fresh-smelling winner, or geranium and orange are nice, too. Don’t forget to vacuum thoroughly and treat any carpet stains well before your first viewing.
Tip: If you’ve got a dark or dingy hall, hang a few mirrors on the walls, placed so that they bounce the available light around. Not only will your hall look lighter, it will also appear larger
Kitchen clever
Kitchens can be a real deal-maker or breaker. This room will probably be one of
your biggest selling points, so clean it thoroughly and clear all the clutter from the work surfaces. Get rid of any sign of pets, including food bowls or litter trays. Never leave dishes in the sink or on the draining board – it’ll make the place feel like student digs. If your kitchen units have seen better days, paint them and replace wobbly handles for a cheap facelift. Don’t allow your floor to let you down, either. If it’s scuffed or stained, consider re-laying it. If if you are pushed for cash use a stylish but keenly priced vinyl.
Tip: While you’re having house viewings, don’t cook food with lingering odors. Even if you think the smell is gone, buyers with sensitive noses might still detect a whiff of that grilled fish or spicy supper!
Lighten up
It’s a fact that light-filled homes sell faster than dark, moody ones. So what do you do if yours is less than sun-blessed? Achieving a light and easy-does-it feel can be challenging in chilly, north-facing houses. Start by ditching any dark interior wall colors. People love a neutral scheme as they can imagine what their own furniture will look like in situ. And these days, with so many lovely shades of cream, linen and buff around, magnolia really is a thing of the past. Perk up woodwork with quick drying gloss and make the most of your windows, too – pull heavy curtains right back or ditch them in favor of voile or muslin. Roller blinds are great because they can be raised and shut up tight, allowing the maximum amount of light into the room. This is one area where a bit of investment goes a long way.
TIP: Got an evening viewing? Rather than have the overhead light on in living rooms, place either a table or standard lamp in each corner of the room to create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere.
Blitz the bathroom
Give your bathroom a fighting chance by de-cluttering ruthlessly and putting away the selection of shampoo bottles, kids’ toys and threadbare mats or dingy towels. Scrub all surfaces until they sparkle and put our clean, preferable new, towels when showing. This may be stating the obvious, but it’s a point worth underlining: a clean bathroom creates a good impression and makes buyers feel more favorable inclined towards the property.
Tip: Want to see your home as others do? Ask a friend or neighbor to come over and comment honestly on what needs tackling. Failing that, take pictures of each room and critique them with a dispassionate eye – the camera doesn’t lie…
And so to the bedroom...
While the bedroom isn’t the real clincher that the bathroom or kitchen are, your
future buyer is still going to spend a large proportion of their life in it. So clear all clutter, including windowsill displays, and put away as many of your personal items as possible. Buy some new white bed linen – it doesn’t have to be expensive – and iron it before putting it on the bed. Add a few cushions for a luxurious and appealing touch. Aim for a streamlined yet comfortable feel.
Patch up your patch
If you’re putting your house up for sale over the winder chances are that your
patch of green might be struggling to meet its job description.
To give it a fighting chance, go on a massive tidying spree: tie up unruly bushes and prune and rake all winter debris. Staining fences gives them a new lease of life – There many great ranges of colored paints for garden woodwork these days. Deep-clean patios with a pressure hose and don’t forget to hide that rusty barbecue – or cover it, at least.
Turning a "no" into a "yes"
House still not selling? There could still be bits to do that you haven’t thought of. Run through this checklist of things guaranteed to put of buyers – and fix them!
Turn TV’s off! Period, no arguing about this point. Do you really want the buyers
sitting on the sofa watching the game or looking at the house? By all means create an aural atmosphere with quiet “elevator style music” playing in the background.
Animals however docile or small when showing are a no no. Some people are not dog lovers and may be frightened of Bonzo’s friendly overtures. Dog lovers don’t like to see caged animals and will stop looking at the house to comfort the pet. Take them with you when you leave, if you are at work and can’t take them, make arrangements with a dog walking service to have them out or ask a friendly neighbor to “sit for an hour”, but don’t forget to compensate them or it’ll be a one time deal…
Owners at a showing are a no no. Why? When you feel that only you are the only one able to answer buyers questions and point out EVERYTHING you become that annoying salesperson you hate when looking for clothes in a clothes store. GET OUT and AWAY from the property and don’t come back if you see people are still there. Buyers want to make up their own minds about your home, without you hanging off their elbow, pointing out each and every last cherished feature. Leave the chat to their REALTORr. Don’t worry there will be plenty of time for you to show the smallest nuances of the home to those that wish to know more and move forward with an offer. The first showing and sometimes even the second or third are for the buyer to “see” themselves in this space. They frankly don’t care about the bookcase you built yourself or the switch under the sink at this stage. This goes for your REALTOR too unless she is also working with the buyers. The buyers’ REALTOR will thank you for taking this stance as they need as much time in the home as possible without interruptions to enable their client to feel comfortable. They will compile a list of questions their clients have and address them with your REALTOR later.
A house that feels like either a sauna or an icebox. Aim for a moderately heated home in winter The National Association of Realtors recommends 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Whenever possible it’s great to open a few windows when the weather allows – assuming you’re not on a main road where the traffic noise is off-puttingly loud.
Depersonalize. You want people to imagine their things in your home, so stash away personal items and photos. In every home I’ve ever showed that has personal photos the buyers have stopped dead to discuss the current occupants, their family weddings, grandchildren etc. They completely forget what they are in the home to do…time clicks by and then they are rushed to go to the next property. At the end of the day when we discuss the homes we viewed, they can’t even remember being in the ones with the photos!
And finally...
Remember that with so many homes currently on the market yours has only one chance to make the buyers list. That will decision will be based on two factors. Price and Condition. Whereas it used to be Location, location, location, Price is now the leading motivator for buyers followed closely by condition. The way your home is viewed in photographs is the second most important factor when selling to get the buyers to your door. After that, it’s how your home compares to all of the others that are on the market in your price range.
A really great way to discover what your competition offers the buyer is to go and view them with your REALTOR. Make notes and come back and look at your home objectively from the buyer’s point of view.
elds past the lake to what has to be the most picturesque football field in the USA. Then enjoy the dualling bands, uniformed cadets and the spectacular views. One time there was even a fly by of jets! Awesome stuff, and certainly a memorable day out even if you don't understand the game!
