Selling Your home? Get It Ready First!
With the slow market we have had in the Tampa Bay Area it is even more important to make sure your home is in top showing condition BEFORE you put it on the market. I get feedback on showings from my current listings and here is what I have learned that every seller must do before putting your home on the market. These items won’t cost you much-if anything- but will give you a big return and help your home sell faster!
AMY’S TOP TWELVE HOME SELLING TIPS
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Pressure wash all outside sidewalks and driveways as well as patios and lanais. Also pressure wash (at a much lower pressure setting) any sides or corners of your home with mildew or wasp nests.
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Make sure flower borders are neat and weed free. Fill borders with RED MULCH for color and a fresh look and smell. Trust me the red looks great with any house color and really jazzes up the appearance! You can even extend your borders to areas grass will not grow quickly and easily by adding a bit of round up and filling areas with red mulch and a few plants.
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Make porches and lanais inviting by adding potted greenery (Costco has some really great live greenery and they are usually only about $15.00 each) and sitting areas. Make sure to remove dirty grills, lawn equipment and toys from these areas so they do not look cluttered. You don’t want the buyer to think about work when they are sitting on your lanai. It should be peaceful and relaxing!
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Inside remove all clutter and as many pictures as you can. Rent a storage space if you have to but get it out of the house. The less clutter you have the larger the home looks and the less distracted the buyer is. You want the buyer to be able to imagine their own belongings in your home, not be distracted by yours!
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Kitchens are especially important, get stuff off counters and off the refrigerator! (I’m talking magnets and the top of the fridge). Organize cabinets and panties so that they look spacious. Make sure floors and cabinets are clean. Wipe wood cabinets down with lemon oil for a clean shiny look. Do not leave persoanl medications out in the open. Hide them in an out of the way cabinet.
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Make sure your home smells fresh and inviting. Invite some friends over and ask them what the first thing they smelled was when they walked in the door. If they say smoke,dog, cat, food spices or notice a damp smell- correct it. Clean carpets, paint walls, don’t smoke inside the house and maybe even find an alternative living arrangement for your pets for a few weeks.
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Neutralize the colors of your home as much as you can. Lighter colors are better because they can match most decors. Get rid of reds, greens blues, pinks and purples. Painting is a pain and buyers see it as work they would prefer not to do. Spend a weekend and do it ahead of time to ensure a faster sale. A little elbow work can gain you thousands of dollars!
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Organize your closets. Pack the clothes you are not using and if necessary buy some wire organizers and install for extra space. Storage space is a big seller in today’s market. Make sure all your closets and stoarge areas are neat and clean and well organized.
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Don’t forget the garage! As you know , Florida’s garages tend to take the place of the northern homes basement. Take advantage of wall shelves and cabinets for storage. Add wall organizers and make sure the floors are neat and clean. Plastic bins on shelves are a great way to find items quickly yet still have a neat and organized appearance. Try to keep the garbage outside somewhere if allowed to avoid smells. If not buy a garbage can with a tight lock lid.
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POOP STINKS! Baby diapers and dog poop are deal killers. Diaper Genies don’t work! Make sure to take diapers straught out to the main garbage (see above) and make sure to clean up after your pet (inside and outside) There is nothing worse for a buyer than being so turned off by a smell they can’t stand to look at your home. Even worse if they happen to step in it! Hire a service for a few weeks if you cannot keep up with it yourself.
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Do any repairs that need to be done to your house ahead of time. Don’t let a buyer walk into your home and think “WORK” After doing the repairs make sure you are offering a Home Warranty when you sell your home. It is inexpensive and gives buyers peace of mind. Never sell a home “as is” or “as is for the seller’s convenience” this is a sure way to get only low ball offers on your home-if any offers at all!
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Polish your front door. It should be shiny, clean and inviting!
These are the things I have found that really help a home show better and sell better. I am always available to answer your questions regarding what you should do to help your home sell. You can also visit my website tips for even more info!