When it comes to selling your home, the little things can make all the difference. A few cheap purchases and a little elbow grease can tip the tables in your favor and help close a sale that may otherwise have been an "almost" for a prospective buyer.
Here are 5 little (budget friendly) ways to impress buyers and get your home off the market that little bit quicker.
1. Clear The Clutter
The first tip on this list is also the cheapest (it's free). When prospective buyers are coming to take a look at your home they're trying to imagine what their life (and belongings) would look like if they moved in. By removing as much clutter as possible you're giving their visions of a new life in a perfect home a helping hand.
Gather up as many sentimental objects and other bits of clutter as possible and put them all in the loft or in the basement (consider renting a storage unit temporarily if you've not got space).
Tip: Don't remove all of your stuff, going too far with the decluttering can turn a home into a hospital ward.
2. Hang A Mirror Or Two
Using mirrors to create the illusion of space is one of the oldest tricks in the home staging book. It's a tried and tested method that works exceptionally well – especially in hallways.
Hallways are typically narrow and uninspiring, yet in the vast majority of properties, they'll be the first thing a prospective buyer sees when they enter your home (and we all know how important first impressions are). If there's an appropriate place for a mirror in the hallway that connects to your front door – invest in one. Don't be afraid to take down existing wall hangings to make a little room if needs be.
3. Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers are another tried and tested way to bring a little life into a property. They can turn a clinical and uninspiring room into something vibrant and natural. Again, don't go over the top here (you don't want your home to look like a botanical garden), but a strategically placed vase or two will be more than enough to complete the effect.
4. A Lick Of Paint
There's a big difference between a room with a "decent" coat of paint on the walls and a room with a completely fresh paint job. If there are any rooms in your home that look like they haven't been painted in the past year or so, then get yourself down to your local DIY store and pick up some paint.
It's the most time intensive tip on this list, but the difference it makes is also the most profound. Pick non-offensive neutral colors and take good care to mask off any fixtures and fittings properly (an accidental lick of paint on a light switch is not a good look).
5. Be Prepared
More often than not, you'll know well in advance of when someone is considering viewing your property. However, when your home's on the market, buyers can ask to view at a moments notice (and it's obviously not ideal to refuse them). As such, it's important that you keep on top of the cleaning. Try and maintain a state of "near perfect" at all times so that your home can be looking its best for a last minute viewing within a matter of minutes.
So there you have it, 5 little ways to impress buyers. All of these tips combined will cost you a few hundred dollars (and a few days of work) at most. But don't let the low cost of investment fool you – they can make all the difference.
We serve anyone looking to sell (or buy) a home in the Savannah, Pooler, Effingham and Richmond Hill areas! Give us a call if you're looking for even more ways to make your listing stand out above the rest! We provide our sellers with a professional photographer AND stager at no cost at all! Let's talk!
(912) 737-2935
