Every real estate agent knows that the more inviting their client’s home looks, the easier it will be to sell. Improving the market value of your client’s home might not be possible, but you can certainly improve the marketability of their home with some attention to detail.
Pay attention to detail because beauty IS perfection. Make sure that everything in the home looks good as new. Switch out old outlet covers and polish the hardware, including door knobs to remove fingerprints and dirt. Speaking of fingerprints, don’t forget to clean fingerprints and dust off all mirrors in the house. Having the windows washed and the carpets cleaned can also make a huge difference in making the home look spic and span. The last item to remember is to put away any personal items such as family photos.
Sometimes having bright colors in a home can actually hurt the sale. Having walls that are a neutral color will allow the buyer to imagine their furniture matching in a cohesive way.
Believe it or not, the right smell can help to sell your client’s home. Your client may be “nose blind” to their home’s scent, but that doesn’t mean that others won’t pick it up. Plugging in an air freshener and calling it a day will not eliminate the odor. If your client’s home is clean, it will smell clean.
People spend a decent amount of time in their closets. Not just females, but males too. If your client’s closet is completely filled, it diminishes the size and you lose value in a potential selling feature. When organizing a closet, think about a retail store, everything is organized by either style or color. Encourage your client's to organize their closets before showing the property.
Pro tip: Taking half of your client’s items out of the closet will make it look bigger.
The garage will not only be a place for the home buyer to park their cars, but a place for storage. Organizing the garage will allow the buyer to see their items there and give them a sense of just how much storage space there is.
Many people consider a tidy yard to be a very important factor when deciding to purchase a home. This doesn’t just mean the front yard, but the backyard as well. Make sure that the sidewalks are cleared, the lawn is mowed, the bushes are trimmed and the flowers are alive and well. If the curb appeal isn't strong, the chances of a buyer making it inside the home are slim.
There is never going to be the “perfect home” to sell, but as an agent, you can help your client have the best chance of sale. Getting a client’s home “sale ready” isn’t about spending a ton of money; it’s about paying attention to detail and making the home clean and organized.
Are You Worried You Aren’t Selling as Much as You Could Be?