Selling your home for the best return on its investment takes more than just hiring a Realtor to stick a sign in the front yard. As a seller, your goal is to offer potential buyers a home that is welcoming and makes them want to stay. To accomplish this, follow these steps to make a great first impression to attract buyers and their offers.

Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to the cracks in the walls, don’t notice the small stains on your carpet or ignore the scratches on your floors doesn’t mean a potential buyer will too. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, walls that need repainting or rotten deck boards that need replacing, start budgeting for and planning that now. Remember that the small things count, and buyers will notice them, so be sure to fix any sticky doors, polish or replace your faucets and shower heads, and put a fresh look on the front door. Replacing cabinet pulls, light switch plates, toilet seats and putting out a new “Welcome” mat all are inexpensive items that tell buyers you care about your home.

Finally, don’t forget to address any major issues that are certain to be noticed by a buyer’s home inspector— a worn roof, moldy attic or clogged septic system can mean a dead deal if a buyer objects. What’s worse, losing a deal to a home inspection makes your home look like “damaged goods” when it goes back on the market – and it’s something you want to avoid. Despite the low inventory, curb appeal still reins and that means without taking care of visible issues, some buyers may never want to see the inside of your home.

Neutralize. Buyers try to see themselves moving into your home, so if your living room has orange shag carpet and wood-paneled walls, it will be much harder for them to do. It’s safest to remove collectibles and bold artwork: the key is to go neutral in your color tones. A bedroom with bright red paint may be cool for kids, but buyers may be appalled so it’s best to have fresh and neutral paint colors such as beiges, tans, and whites. Remember that fresh paint, refinished floors and new carpet makes your entire home look new, and more importantly, it helps your prospective buyers imagine all their possibilities.

Stage. Once your house is clean and updated, it’s time to dress it up, and I can recommend a great stager. Staging a home goes beyond décor touches such as lamps, mirrors, throw rugs, flowers, decorative soaps and towels and patio furniture. Home staging means making each space live as it was intended to and can be particularly useful if your home is especially old or if the exterior looks dated. When properly done, this step will ensure the home’s flow works well and makes buyers want to come home to it every day. Think of it as adding a little mascara and rouge—if it’s done right, your buyers will notice the beauty, not the makeup.

Are you thinking about selling your home on Bainbridge Island? Contact me, I’m here to help: jason@mrshutt.com – or call or text me on Bainbridge at 206-399-3641.

Copyright 2016