Presentation and initial impressions can translate to thousands of dollars. When you have decided to sell, you can do a lot to increase the appeal of your property and to create a lasting impact on potential buyers. As your Capital Residential real estate advisor I will make suggestions that may increase the value of your property and and advise you on simple steps to enhance your home’s features and desirability to prospective buyers.
What To Do To Prepare
The following are a couple of factors to keep in mind when listing your property for sale:
- Curb Appeal. Keeping your landscape tidy, and adding small creative touches to your yard, such as colorful annuals, will create an immediate positive psychological impact on passers-by and potential buyers. If you live in a condominium, make sure the common areas are clean and well lit. Report any deferred maintenance issues to the condo association so they are corrected before your property is going to be shown to prospective buyers.
- Property Repairs. Simple upgrades such as window repairs, polishing the doorknobs, and a fresh coat of paint in the most frequently used rooms will instantly freshen up the property. Buyers tend to notice the small stuff so make sure you don’t overlook anything. Again, your real estate advisor will bring a trained eye to the scene and make specific recommendations.
- Cleanliness and Staging. Keep your property uncluttered, clean-smelling and well-lit from top-to-bottom. Pay attention to details: put away the kitty litter, place a vase of fresh flowers near the entryway, clean the windows, have your carpets cleaned and your hardwoods buffed. Your agent will scan the property before it is listed for sale to see how you can improve the organization of furniture, etc. Too much furniture tends to be one of the biggest problems especially in smaller city condos. Put the extra furniture in storage or sell it on EBay or Craigslist before the home goes on the market.
- Disclosures and Inspections. We are very familiar with the legal procedures involved in disclosures and are ready to help you develop a thorough disclosure statement beneficial to both you and the buyer. We can suggest home improvement measures before placing your property on the market (such as termite and pest inspections). If there is a known property issue, now is the time to deal with it. Once you alert your real estate advisor about a known property defect, we are obligated under the law to disclose this to the buyer and their representative.
- Showtime. Presenting your property to potential buyers and buyer agents is a job that we will take care of for you. Buyers feel more comfortable viewing the property when the seller is not present and discussing all the questions with the agent. Moreover, your Capital Residential real estate advisor will know what information will be most useful in representing your interests when speaking with prospective buyers.
