When you plan to sell your home, you must remember that potential buyers will judge your property in seconds. Add to this that the current average time a home is on the market is 18 days, and you need to make the right impression the first time. Therefore, to increase the chances of selling your house fast and at the best price possible, you need to ensure it is as appealing as possible. From small details like arranging furniture to strategically placed accent pieces and clever staging, making your home stand out from the crowd will significantly increase its appeal. Consider working with an Ohio cash home buyer who can provide a quick and hassle-free sale of your property. Read on for 7 tips on preparing your house for sale to stand out from the rest of the homes on the market.
Pay attention to the curb appeal of your home.
While this may not seem vital when preparing your home for sale, the first impression a potential buyer gets of your property is often based on the exterior. Keeping your lawn and garden well-maintained and adequately maintained, along with updating paint and outdoor features such as a garage door, will make a massive difference in how potential buyers view your house. If the exterior is not up to scratch, potential buyers will likely assume that the interior is in the same condition and pass on your property. Make sure you keep the yard free of debris and clutter, as this will make a much better first impression than an unkempt yard. Focus on your house's curb appeal because it's the first thing buyers will notice.
Declutter - and make sure it stays that way.
If you want to make the best first impression possible when selling your house, the best thing you can do is declutter. Get rid of the excess furniture and bookshelves, and clean up the toys and other items left around. Ensure that things usually kept in closets and cabinets are put away. If you want to make a good impression on potential buyers, you'll want your home to look like nobody currently lives there.
Repaint the interior
Make sure you find the perfect neutral interior paint colors for your home to complement the style and decor of the space. Did you know that more than 90% of all homes for sale are painted in neutral tones? While this may seem like a good idea, it makes your property blend in with the crowd, making it less appealing. If you have the time, repainting the interior of your home in a neutral color is a great way to make it stand out from the rest. It will also give you a chance to freshen up the walls and ensure that there are no small paint splatters or other imperfections.
Fix up the small things
If things are broken or don't appear to be working correctly, it can be easy for a potential buyer to overlook your home. Buyers are picky, and even the most minor imperfections can disappoint them. This is why fixing all of the little things, such as loose taps, a broken light fixture, or a loose door handle is essential. The good news is that most of these minor issues are easy to fix. With a few quick trips to the hardware store and a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your house look as good as new and prevent any issues from being a deal-breaker for potential buyers.
Have a deep clean
You'll want to vacuum, mop, and scrub everything in your house. Most sellers will clean their homes from top to bottom before selling them. This means you want to clean everything, including the items that don't usually get cleaned, like light fixtures and ceiling fans. Ensure that no cobwebs or dustballs are lying around and that every surface has been dusted. Thoroughly clean carpets, floors, and the inside of your oven. You may even want to hire a professional cleaner to give your house an extra clean and make it look brand new.
Stage your home to highlight its best features
When staging a home for sale, it is essential to remember that you are not dressing up a model home. Instead, you want to ensure that your home is shown in the best light and that the best features of your home stand out. To do this, you'll want to strategically place furniture and other items throughout your home to highlight them. For example, if you have a large window, you can place a small side table with a vase of flowers to make the most of the natural light and create an appealing setting. Or, for example, you can use artwork to showcase your interests and hobbies and strategically place lamps and candles to create a relaxing mood.
Create space and light
The last thing buyers want when they view a property is to feel cluttered and cramped. While one of the above steps was to declutter, making sure you arrange your furniture in your home to maximize the space can help create an illusion of space within the different rooms. Even f you dislike the arrangement, moving furniture to create space is vital to allow people to see the room's potential.
You also must ensure the rooms have as much light as possible. Clean your windows, open curtains or blinds, and allow the light to flood the room as much as possible. If there is a lack of natural light, you must ensure you are creating light in the room with light fittings or lamps.
Conclusion
When preparing your house for sale, you must keep these things in mind and ensure they are done correctly. When it comes time to sell your home, you don't want to be the one that has to lower the price because the house isn't showing well. Instead, you want to be the one that has multiple offers and sells above the asking price. Keep in mind what you are looking for in a home when viewing different properties, and then apply this thinking to your current home as you prepare it to sell. This can give you an advantage and help you to stage your home right the first time.