Lake Living Real Estate Selling Tips

We provide real world advice on how to buy and sell a home or business.

Selling your home is easy when you know what you are doing. Following these steps will turn you into a pro. A pro who can sell your home hassle free, with more options and offers, and quickly at a high price. Let’s get ready to sell!

Looking Good!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The same is true for the attractiveness of the house from the outside, also known as ‘curb appeal’. The first thing the potential buyer sees is crucial to their interest in the house. To be sure to make a lasting impression, ask yourself the following questions while sitting in your driveway:

• Are the shutters and front door in good condition and nicely painted?
• Are the windows clean and smudge-free?
• Is the landscape tidy and refreshing?
• Are there shrubs or trees that are overgrown and unsightly?
• Is the snow obscuring the view during the winter?
• Is there any debris or trash littering the property?
• Are there any repairs that need to be done?
• Does the house look fresh, or does it need a bit of paint?

Try to see what a buyer sees. Do you see this house as a potential home? Would you enjoy being the owner? If you said yes, then your house is ready to sell! If you said no, you might want to consider sprucing it up a bit before putting it on the market.

Make it Shine!

Letting some light into your home is another way to boost its appearance. Opening the blinds and curtains will make your house feel lively and comforting. Nothing says welcome home like feeling the warming touch of sunshine on your face!

What’s Cooking?

The most important room of your house is, believe it or not, the kitchen. It goes without saying that if you have a nice kitchen, the value of your house is greatly increased. The recipe for the perfect kitchen involves making sure that:

• The kitchen is clean, tidy and organized.
• Everything is in its place and the counters are cleared.
• The sink(s) must be clean and empty. This includes removing hard water, soap scum, and rust stains.
• All cabinets and drawers are tidy and organized, even the junk drawer.
• The cabinet doors and appliances do not need any repairs or replacements.
• The floors are clear and cleaned.

Your kitchen is the heart of your house. If the kitchen is spectacular, then your chances of selling your house are as well!

Get Handy!

Many times a buyer will be disenchanted by the smallest of flaws. Before showing off your home to potential buyers, make sure to fix everything up. Search for anything and everything that may need some attention in your home. Start by looking for:

• Doors that have rusty hinges, loose knobs, or blemishes.
• Windows that are stuck, have cracked glass, or torn screens.
• Leaky faucets or dripping pipes that are most likely caused by plumbing issues.
• Floors that are dirty or creak when stepped on.
• Walls with stains, cracks in the plaster, peeling wallpaper, or holes.

Never underestimate the vigilance of a viewer. Damage to your home, no matter how inconsequential, can depreciate its value. Fixing up your home before selling is an ingenious approach when aiming for a higher asking price. Let buyers see the full value of your home.

Freshen Up

In addition to fixing what was wrong in your home, it is an exceptional idea to improve the aesthetic of your home as well. Décor is the first thing that a buyer sees when entering your home. Having a fresh home will increase your likelihood of making a swift and lucrative sale. Quick hints:

• Repaint the walls a neutral and complimentary color.
• Stock all bedrooms and bathrooms with fresh, clean linens.
• Dispose of any overpowering or cluttering furniture.
• Only decorate with a limited number of wall hangings.
• Be careful not to clutter, this will give the impression that a room is smaller than it is.

Maid Service

The most important task to be completed before showing your home to buyers is to clean every nook and cranny. Selling and showing your home is much simpler when it is tidy. Before opening your home to buyers, you must:

• Clean couches, drapes, and other fabrics that may hold an unpleasant odor.
• Dust and freshen the air with a very light, appealing scent. Strong fragrances will make the buyer think you are attempting to cover up an odor.
• Wipe down counters and stovetops.
• Clean carpets and flooring.
• Scrub away all stains, including hard water stains, lime, and rust in the bathrooms.
• Take the trash out, emptying all wastebaskets.
• Make the beds and have all laundry clean and put away properly.
• Make all surfaces shine.

Doggie Daycare

Though you love them, your pets may cause you to lose a buyer’s interest. Many people have preferences, allergies and phobias when it comes to animals. You are showing your whole house; therefore, you cannot simply put them in the back room. Be sure to either ask a friend to keep them, or put them into a pet daycare on the days that you are showing your house.

Weather Report

Step outside your home before the showing to check the temperature. The intent is to make the buyer as comfortable as possible while showing the house, so adjust the a/c or heat based on the temperature outside.

Sound Check, 1,2,3…..

When buyers come to view your home, they try to see themselves and their families living in it. They are looking for the comforts of home. Loud music, such as that which a teenager might listen to, is not ideal. When a buyer is in your home, be sure to turn all televisions and radios off. Play only soft music, if any.

Make it Count

When trying to sell your home, the little things will make or break you. It never hurts to throw a batch of cookies in the oven or to offer beverages. Follow these guidelines to a successful sale!