Noble Home Sellers Preparation Guide | Deborah Farrar

NOBLE HOME SELLERS PREPARATION GUIDE

Photo Credit: caffelattehome.com

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YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION

MAKE IT COUNT

We have all heard the statement, “you get one chance to make a first impression.” While it may be cliché, studies show that we make up our minds about people within seconds of meeting them. Thus it stands to reason that prospective buyers are doing the same thing with your house. Buyers are sizing up your space and making lightning-quick decisions about whether it’s worth investigating further or whether they should hop back in the car and move on to the next house. The impression potential buyers get from the moment they walk into your home will go a long way toward closing a deal.

With 47% of buyers beginning their home search online, you not only have to focus on what the actual home looks like but also on how it appears online. Here are some great pointers on how to make a great first impression when selling your home.

#1 CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

IT’S JUST BUSINESS

No one can argue that love comes in many forms, and one is the connection we create to that place called “home.” A home is an extension of yourself and reflects who you are and want to be. It is filled with cherished memories and holds great sentimental value, so it makes perfect sense that we can take things personally when selling a home.

Do you want to sell your home quickly? If your answer is yes, you will need to change your mindset. Along with a great plan, you need to have the right mindset and think of selling your home as a business transaction. Most homebuyers buy off emotion, and your specific taste in something may not appeal to the largest pool of buyers. The more potential buyers you can appeal to, the better chance you’ll have of getting the best offer in the shortest amount of time.

Photo Credit: caffelattehome.com

TIP #2 CURB APPEAL

YOUR HOME’S FIRST

IMPRESSION STARTS WITH THE EXTERIOR

It’s time to take a good hard look at the front of your home. So many of us pull into a driveway or garage and bypass the front of our homes altogether. What’s the first thing you notice? If it’s overgrown bushes, peeling paint, dirty windows, and dead plants, you have some work to do, and now is the time to give it the attention it deserves. Ask yourself: “If I was buying this home, what would my expectations be?” Here are some key points to consider:

Remove debris, trim grass and shrubs, freshen up your flowerbeds, and clear away clutter. Hiring a professional to get your landscaping into tip-top shape will pay off. Make your home shine by investing in a new doormat, replacing old address numbers, and giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. Clean the driveway and patch any cracks. Your expert real estate professional will advise you on what improvements will give you the most bang for your buck.

TIP #3 EDIT YOUR HOME

LESS IS MORE

One of the first things buyers will notice when touring a home is if the space feels welcoming. When a home is full of stuff, it can feel claustrophobic and be a big turn-off. Before listing your home for sale, it’s important to declutter. This means editing and removing any unnecessary items, such as excess furniture, personal items, and knick-knacks. This will help make your home appear more spacious and inviting and allow buyers to see the home’s potential. They can focus on the home instead of all your “stuff.” People looking to purchase a home want to be able to imagine living there. This can be hard when they see pictures of other people on the walls and artwork on the fridge of kids they don’t know. Try to remove anything from the house that is only valuable to you. Any personal items or mementos that you love but might not be attractive to a stranger. Again, you want them to picture themselves living there, not that they walked into someone else’s home.

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TIP #4 KEEP UP APPEARANCES

KEEP IT CLEAN

Buyers have a hard time looking past a dirty home. It indicates to them that the home isn’t cared for. Nothing is worse than starting a home tour only to find dirt and grime around every turn. Even the most updated kitchen covered in crumbs and grease will turn buyers off. You are better off with a sparkling clean old kitchen or bathroom than a brand new one that is dirty. So, clean until you can’t clean anymore, ensuring that you include carpets, windows, and appliances. Prepare for everything to be opened; your linen closet, silverware drawer, bathroom vanity, and more. It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but it’s a reality when selling your home.

Remembering that you might have potential buyers traipsing through every week, sometimes with little notice, is also crucial. This means you’ll need to keep up with all the changes you’ve implemented to help get your home sold.

TIP #5 HOME IMPROVEMENT

FIX AND REFRESH

Have you been living with a leaky kitchen faucet or a stain on the carpet? Maybe your walls are scuffed and paint chipped from where your kids kick off their shoes. When you live in a home and see these things daily, you likely don’t notice them anymore, but a potential buyer definitely will. It’s important to address any necessary repairs before listing your home for sale.

Though new paint and a kitchen faucet may not seem like a big deal, for some home buyers, it may indicate a lack of care by the previous owners. Many people looking to purchase want a move-in-ready home, and even little fixes, like having to replace carpet, can turn them off. If you put in the time to fix up your property, you will increase your chances of selling at a more favorable price. Not only will this help your home look its best, but it will also give buyers confidence that your home has been well-maintained.

A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for your home. New paint can transform a room’s atmosphere and instantly increase your home’s value. When deciding on what color to paint your home it is generally better to be cautious. Going neutral with colors like beige, whites, and grays are best. Neutral colors are more appealing to buyers and often lead to quicker sales. Buyers like the creative freedom of a blank canvas where they can add their own touches and envision themselves in the space.

Photo Credit: January Furniture Show

Photo Credit: laskasas.com

TIP #6 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

SET THE STAGE

Staging your home can help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. This can include rearranging furniture, adding decorative touches, repainting, and ensuring rooms are well-lit and inviting. Whether you notice it or not, lighting is everything in a house. People want to feel like a home is light and airy, not heavy and dark. So focusing on light is huge. Here are a few ways you can maximize light in a room.

• Make sure there are multiple light sources so that you don’t just rely on light from one place. Additional sources can be ceiling lights, desk lights, and floor lamps.

• Remove heavy curtains and window coverings. Odds are the new homeowner would remove or replace these, so get rid of them and let the light in.

• Ensure that all the light bulbs are working in the home and that you have the right bulbs and lamp shades to let off the right kind of warmth and natural light.

• Keep windows clean. Dirt can block light, so a simple cleaning can help a lot!

Not only are these important tips for showing your home to potential buyers but they also will make a significant impact when capturing your home in photography for online presentation.

WORK WITH EXPERTS

FIND A REPUTABLE REAL ESTATE ADVISOR

Working with a reputable real estate advisor can help you navigate the complex process of selling your home and is an essential step. A good partner can make all the subsequent steps clear and easy, and provide you with necessary resources. Their experience can provide valuable advice on pricing, marketing, and negotiations. Finding someone you feel understands what is important to you and will give you the attention you need is important. Make sure you research and interview at least a few agents. It may be tempting to go with just anyone, but you’ll likely be working with this person for a few months, sometimes talking daily. You’ll be thankful if you take the time to find the best fit.

Trying to sell your house on your own may be tempting, but it isn’t recommended. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, only 7% of homes in 2020 were sold by owner (FSBO). Homes sold by the owner closed for an average of 18% less than those that closed with an agent.

CHRISTIAN CORBETT Global Real Estate Advisor

MONICA MONSON Founder + CEO | Designated Broker

DEBORAH FARRAR Global Real Estate Advisor

HOME PREPARATION CHECKLIST

BOOST YOUR CURB APPEAL

• Power wash outdoor surfaces

• Wash the windows (inside and out)

• Tidy up your landscaping: Clean, weed, trim and mow

• Remove dead or dying plants and replace

• Check exterior lights and doorbell

• Sweep patio’s, decks and walkways

• Freshen up your entry with things like: a fresh coat of paint on your door or a new welcome mat

• Consider repainting the exterior of your home

ROOM BY ROOM

SHOW IT’S CARED FOR

• Do a deep clean of the entire home

• Clean baseboards, vents, walls, lights, and blinds

• Remove clutter

• Remove personal items

• Organize countertops, cabinets and closets

• Replace burnt out light bulbs

• Touch up any scuffs on the walls

• Hide/unplug electrical cables

• Fix anything that is broken

• Buy fresh flowers

KITCHEN THE LIVING AREAS

• Remove clutter from counters

• Freshen up your walls and cabinet doors

• Check that cupboards are organized and not overflowing

• Ensure tables and chairs are clean and not damaged

• Clean both the inside and outside of appliances

• Consider replacing out of date appliances

• Minimize decor

THE BATHROOM(S)

• Make sure the bathroom has a fresh clean scent

• Ensure grout and tiles clean and free from discoloration or mildew

• Check to see that all bathroom fixtures are working properly and make any necessary repairs

• Remove personal toiletries from view

• Display luxury bath items and plump fresh towels

THE BEDROOM(S)

• Remove any clutter

• Remove personal items from view

• Make the bed by using fresh linens and plumping up pillows

• Remove any laundry from site

• Organize the closet

• Maximize lighting

• Ensure colors are neutral

• Arrange to show the best use of space

• Highlight key features

• Ensure furniture is clean

• Remove personal items

• Remove clutter

• Maximize lighting

THE BACKYARD

• Have your backyard freshly landscaped and cleared of any debris

• If you are pet owner ensure there are no unwelcome surprises

• Remove dead or dying plants and replace

• Ensure all backyard lighting is fully functioning

• Clean, repair or replace any back yard appliances

• Make sure any pool, hot tub equipment, and/or water features are working properly

THE LAUNDRY

• Put clean laundry away

• Empty washer and dryer

• Remove clutter

• Clean cabinetry