10 Tips to Sell Your House for More Money
So, you’ve made the decision to sell your house. Now it’s time to follow a few simple steps to ensure your house is noticed first. Follow these 10 easy tips, and you are well on your way to successfully selling your home at a maximum price.
- Price below market value
Pricing your home slightly below market value can make a big splash in the marketplace and your place in it. Active buyers who are looking for similar properties will have a sense of urgency in seeing your listing first. By positioning your property slightly under the market value, you can often increase the odds of multiple offers. In the case of multiple offers, you may end up receiving a selling price higher than your original asking price.
- Brighten up the rooms
A dark room can feel cluttered and closed in, making rooms appear smaller. Clean the windows, open blinds and turn on lights to create a more open, airy appearance.
- Clean out the closets
Remove 50 percent of everything in the closet and pack it away. Buyers are always looking for more closet space, and clutter will make closets look smaller than they are.
- Paint the front door
Make your home stand out! A freshly painted front door can create a great first impression to excited buyers.
- Enhance the landscaping
Enhance and spruce up your landscaping. The front of your house is the first thing buyers see online and when they pull up in the driveway. Make sure bushes are trimmed and weeds are pulled from flower beds. Make your house pop by dropping in colorful, seasonal annuals.
- Stain the deck and driveway
For concrete driveways, clean up old oil spots with a chemical cleaner. For blacktop, cover up old spots with a fresh coat of sealer to give everything a new, well-maintained appearance. Check your deck for obvious rough spots that may discourage buyers. Power wash your deck, and scrape and touch up any chipped paint. Make your deck look well-maintained by re-staining and sealing.
- Paint walls a neutral color
Painting the rooms throughout the house a neutral color is less distracting and can be more calming. Potential buyers may not have the imagination to see past colors. By painting everything neutral, you give buyers a blank canvas on which to match their furniture and decorating styles.
- Clean, clean, clean
Make sure your home is clean from all odors and debris. Clean up before every showing. Vacuum carpets (fresh carpet tracks project a well cared for home), wash floors, clean windows and blinds. Be sure to wipe down window sills and baseboards.
- Pack away picture frames
De-personalize your home. Take down personal pictures, trophies and awards. Try to leave walls and horizontal surfaces, like shelves, clutter free.
- Kitchen improvements
No matter your budget, you can make improvements to your kitchen that can make a big difference. The kitchen is the number-one room that can make or break a sale. An inexpensive way to change the look of a kitchen is as simple as changing the knobs on the cabinets.
Follow these 10 simple tips to make your home stand out in the marketplace. Each of these tips can increase how fast your home sells and can positively impact your ability to sell your house for more. The summer market is nearly here. Prepare now by following these tips for a comfortable selling experience!
You can reach Gary Stubblefield at 417.385.7645 or at Keller Williams Realty at 417.623.9900.
Watch for more “Home Wise” tips on KSN’s Living Well show the first Thursday of each month at 4 pm.