This home sold in 3 days and it is the perfect example of what it takes to sell your home in today’s market for the highest price. This is an immaculate and updated 4 bdrm./3 bath pool home. The owners kept up the maintenance up so there were no signs of wear and tear, even though the house is 10 years old. The exterior of the home had great curb appeal, which caused many buyers to call me from the sign in the front yard. The owners chose the right color of wall paint to match their neutral, not trendy flooring. They kept their decorating to a minimum. Many homeowners have a tendency to over decorate their homes when they put them on the market; just remember that less is more. The kitchen in this home was recently updated with new cabinets, granite and appliances. If you are going to invest money in a house, this is the room to spend it in.
The best advice I can give home sellers is to start packing before you put the house on the market. You’re going to move anyway so why not act like it. Besides, it will save you a lot of aggravation when it comes time to move out. Start thinking like a buyer, not as the homeowner. Take a good look at the outside of your home. Does your home stand out from the rest on the block or is it an eyesore? Did you take time to freshen up the landscaping and clean up the yard? Is your driveway clean or can you see oil stains or weeds growing out of the pavers? How about the exterior paint, is it faded, will the color appeal to most people?
Give your home the sniff test. Ask a friend to be honest and tell you if there are lingering odors, smoke, doggie odors, moldy or musty smells. Do not mask those odors with candles or scented deodorizers. Most of the time you can eliminate the odors by painting the interior of your home, cleaning the carpets and taking the cause of the odors outdoors, (take Fido for a walk when the house is shown and only smoke where it can’t be detected inside the home).
You may not notice it but I bet the grout in your tile could use a good cleaning too. You can call any carpet cleaning company to do this for you or you can take the time to do it yourself. It just takes elbow grease, a toothbrush and some abrasive cleanser to get the dirt out and the results can make old tired floors look new again.
Check out the ceilings in your home. Do they need to be painted as well? Do the A/C vents look clean? Are the door knobs secure? Are the mirros and windows clean and shiny? Are all the lights working in the house? You would be surprised how many sellers overlook the fact that Realtors will turn on all the lights when showing a home. If your light bulbs are burned out the buyer will think you don’t maintain the rest of the home.
You will earn more money on the sale of your home by keeping it in move in condition. There are a lot of homes on the market right now and those that stand out in their class sell quickly, no matter what the price range.