When someone is looking for a North Shore home, they are buying not only a home, but the feeling that comes over them when they walk through the front door. As a seller, you want to help the buyers fall in love with your home from that very first moment. I’ve put together a few tips to ensure that your potential buyers love what they see.
Take Great Photos
Since most buyers do their initial home shopping online, having great photographs is essential. Make sure your realtor is using a professional photographer. They will know how to capture the beauty of your home. Additionally, if you are planning to sell in the winter months, plan ahead and include some exterior photos of your home in the summer and/or the fall. This helps buyers see what the house looks like when it’s not covered in snow.
Clear Away Clutter
There are likely items sitting around your house that you aren’t using every day. Clear out all of the miscellaneous items that are laying around (papers, knick-knacks, old newspapers or magazines, small mementos from your trip to Mexico, etc.) and discard or store them. Remove magnets and all items hanging on your refrigerator. Keep only one or two decorative items on each shelf and table, and remove overgrown plants that take up space. If you have any appliances on your kitchen counters that you aren’t using all the time, pack them up. We want the buyer to focus on the house, not your personal belongings. It also helps to make a room look larger if you, remove unnecessary pieces of furniture. In general, less is more – keep everything simple.
Clean Up and Make Repairs
Remember that broken piece of tile in the bathroom you’ve gotten used to seeing? Now is the time to fix that and any other small repairs you’ve put off. Buyers will immediately notice things that need to be fixed. Take a look at your light switches, railings and door knobs. You probably have never noticed before, but they likely need to be cleaned. Have your carpets cleaned and organize your closets and drawers. Begin packing your collectibles, and store the boxes off-site or in neat rows in your basement. When buyers see an organized house, they’ll assume you have cared for it well.
Landscaping
In the spring or summer, you can add bright touches to your landscaping with some colorful annuals in your flower beds or potted plants near the door. In the winter you can put a dried flower arrangement outside your front door. If it’s been snowy, try to keep your walkways clear so buyers can begin to understand the outdoor layout.
Make the Indoors Inviting
Consider putting an extra throw pillow on the couch or a book on the coffee table. Little touches like these will help your buyers feel more comfortable. In rooms where there is an abundance of natural light make sure you highlight that. Replace dark, heavy curtains with lighter styles that let more light in, and make sure you clean the windows well.
At the end of the day, the most important piece to remember when selling is that you want potential buyers to love your North Shore home. Buyers are looking for the right home for them, not just any home. By making your home as welcoming and open as possible, you’re helping buyers envision their lives in their new home.
For more ideas on how to declutter, go to this popular website with info about The KonMari Method of Tidying Up: https://konmari.com/