Get Your Home Ready to Sell in 6 Simple Steps
Color psychology in interior design: Make your home appear bigger and brighter with whites, beiges and light grays.
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may be surprised to know that there’s a lot more to it than just putting up the ‘for sale’ sign. Having worked in the home staging and relocation market for over ten years, we know the realities behind getting your home ‘picture ready.’ For most of us, our homes are our biggest investment so it’s only fair to make sure it looks its best, right? Here comes the best part: preparing for staging can add thousands of dollars in value to your home and, in some cases, make it sell faster. The real estate dream! Here are some practical things to do before putting your home on the market (and how to stand out from the competition.)
How to get your home ready to sell
1. Declutter your house
This may seem like a simple tip but it’s an important one if you want your house to appeal to as many people as possible. Pay particular attention to spaces or rooms in your home that are prone to clutter - we ALL have them. Potential buyers want to be able to see their lifestyle in a property, so make it easier for them by maximizing floor space and keeping surfaces clear.
2. Smarten up your storage
Storage space is often a biggie when people are deciding on a house so don’t be surprised if they go looking in your closets and drawers. Make your storage work for you and organize hot spots like pantries, cabinets, basements, etc. Even if your home has limited storage, here are some tips to creating the illusion of more space:
Messy closet? Use matching hangers and tote baskets instead of placing items on the floor. It makes the space look more simplified.
Pack up or donate mismatched coffee mugs, glassware and tupperware. Stage a neutral selection of kitchen accessories and don’t overload cupboards
Ensure the contents of drawers and cabinets are simple and minimal.
Remember, if your home looks like it’s bursting at the seams, potential buyers will assume there isn’t enough space for their family. It’s time to get rid of the excess. You are only going to pack it all up soon anyway so it’s worth sorting through your stuff and donating/throwing out anything you no longer need.
Home Staging Tip: Free up as much floor space as possible to simplify your space.
3. Fix and deep clean your home
When it comes to home staging, first impressions are everything. Make sure you do a general maintenance check around your home and get everything fixed before listing it. No one wants to invest in a house that doesn’t look like it’s been cared for. Typical things to look out for include:
Lightbulbs that need changing
Cracks or holes in the walls
Leaks or water marks
Loose door handles or hinges
Faults on your appliances.
Once you’ve tackled the DIY, give your house a deep clean from top to bottom and inside out (if only it was as simple and quick as it sounds.) We know cleaning can be a drag, but a spotless home could be your ticket to a fast sale! Wipe down baseboards, doors, insides of cabinets and even behind the washer and dryer. Give windows, floors and light fixtures a good clean as they draw in more light (definitely a bonus when staging.) You’ll be amazed at how much brighter your home will look without a layer of dust covering it.
A neutral color scheme is your best bet to sell your home faster and, in some cases, for more money.
4. Go neutral and depersonalize
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that repainting your home is a waste of time. Colors are emotive and extremely personal, so what works for you may not work for a potential buyer. Realistically, most buyers want a blank canvas of neutral walls and trim to move into. Stick to whites, beiges and light grays to make your home appear bigger and brighter. No idea where to start? That's where Epic Moves' expertise comes in! Hiring us to help with a neutral color scheme will save you money, time, and mistakes, so it's well worth your investment.
“Hiring Epic Moves to help with a neutral color scheme will save you money, time and mistakes.”
5. Curb appeal matters
So far, we’ve talked a lot about improvements inside the home, but what about getting your house ready to sell on the outside? Curb appeal may not be a new concept but trust us, it still works. Just think of your house as the book being judged by its cover. Go the extra mile and put a fresh coat of paint on your front door to welcome guests and buyers. Plant flowers, mow the lawn and trim the trees back around the house - it will make a huge difference in boosting your home’s curb appeal.
6. Embrace your home’s quirks
We love quirky houses, but many buyers don’t. If your home is in a unique location or has an unusual layout, be sure to use photography and real estate expertise that play to its strengths. You may have always disliked one room in your home but it could be the icing on the cake for a buyer. When selling your home, it’s important to highlight these quirky areas in their best light and show the buyer how flexible the space can be.
A spotless and clutter free home could be your ticket to a fast sale.
Ready to get started?
Want to take the stress out of moving? Let Epic Moves handle the process from start to finish. Our relocation services cover everything from home staging and professional removals, to painting, furniture layout and custom design in your new home. Contact us for a quote or to find out more.
Epic Moves Relocation Management—Moving Made Simple!
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