Cashing In On Tips To Sell Your Family Home

So, you made the decision. You want more room, you need less room, or maybe you want different rooms. Whichever way, you want to sell you home and get on with your new life.

Now here come the suggestions from a real-estate agent about what you “need” to do to get you out of the house and sell at top price. That is the end game… isn’t it?

Sometimes prepping your house for sale feels like too much work. We’re all so busy: Raising little ones, working full time, cooking, cleaning, hitting the gym, taking the kids to their after-school sports…there’s so much to do!

Who has the time to do all that and still tackle the “to-do” list before listing your property? How is it even possible?

OR…

Check This Out First

For starters, there’s an option that busy people who dread even the thought of the whole selling process could consider: direct purchase. Here’s how it works:

Instead of the stress of trying to sell a property yourself (the preparation, the showings, appraisals, and lengthy closings, the agencies, the agent commissions the house staying on the market for a month, etc., etc.), hiring someone like A-List Properties might be a way to go because cash-buyer companies will not only allow you to sell your house in a matter of days, but you also sell the house in as-is condition (no renovation required), plus you get cash for it straight up.

Direct-purchase companies like these are willing to buy homes in any shape, condition, or price and they can close on your timeline.

But if you’d like to go ahead and handle it your own way, have no fear! 

Taking On The Challenge

You don’t have to gut your home and remake it completely to get a speedy sale. Instead, there are easy, quick-turnover techniques you can employ to make your home immediately attractive to purchasers. These tips are going to transform your beloved space from your family home to an appealing space that everyone can picture themselves in.

The Kitchen

Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home, the central hub, the place where a family congregates.

Buyers know it, sellers know it, so you really want to put your best foot forward and show it off a little:

• Clear away everything from your kitchen counters that isn’t a major appliance (toaster, mixer, etc.) 
• Remove everything like charging cables, mail piles, kids’ art, and all spice jars.
• Give the counters, backsplash and appliances a fresh, sparkling clean, then top that off with a spotless floor and windows.

A clean kitchen tells a buyer that the home is neat, clean and has no lingering odors. A blank slate like this lets them imagine how they can put their own stamp on it and visualize their own family there. 

This single task offers one of the highest returns and the least expensive efforts in getting your home on the market. 

Spot The Clutter Corners

Every busy mom knows them: the entryway, the toy basket, the closet, the hallway table and the bathroom vanity.

These areas can be a pain to sort out, but now is a good time to introduce the KonMari Method and get things to a point where the house looks lived-in, but remains tidy, and there is a ceasefire on the chaos:

• Focal point number 1 should be the big rooms that appear smaller with all the clutter and disorganization (living room/dining room). Go to your local IKEA or home store and get a simple yet stylish, inexpensive storage solution, or unique finds at the thrift store that will work and look interesting (such as decorative hat boxes). 
• The second focal point should be the entranceways. If you have somewhere to put coats and footwear neatly out of sight, a buyer can see the views into the house and the ones out the back. 

If you have wood floors, give them a sweep and a polish, or purchase an inexpensive runner to adorn the entrance. If you have a rug, make an effort to vacuum in straight lines, giving it a nice pattern with vacuum marks. 

These are simple things you can do so your home has a nice appearance while also making it possible for potential buyers to envision your home as their own.

The 5-Minute Front Door Facelift

Curb appeal is not a mere real estate buzzword; it’s the absolutely crucial first impression. 

The front door is the first thing a buyer sees in person, or in listing photos:

• Give the door a good brush down, a good clean, and if necessary, a coat of paint.
• Consider adding a new welcome mat, a pot with seasonal flowers, or a wreath, to please the eye.
• Is your house number, or doorknob, tarnished or cracked? A few dollars spent here can change an immediate impression.
• Ensure there are no cobwebs, leaves, or dirt strewn around the entrance. 

These little things could really make all the difference for a stellar welcome, indicating that the inside of the home is equally taken care of. 

Get Around To It

You know the one! That running list of minor fixes that you’ve put off forever:

• Dripping faucet.
• Wobbly doorknob.
• Broken outlet cover.

Small imperfections like these can be red flags to a buyer. They can make a buyer see your house as less than perfect and make them wonder if other repairs are necessary.

Welcome to the Strength of Bright and Neutral

As painful as it will feel, depersonalizing your home is essential to make a blank canvas that will allow house hunters to picture their own, unique touches in your home instead.

How many times did you walk into a property you were viewing and think, ‘Eww, I don’t like the wallpaper’? 

Likewise, you may adore your vibrant blue walls in the dining room or your daughter’s hot pink and black bedroom (even that height chart for your kids on the door frame), but neutral walls and decor are likely to please buyers much more.

• Look around. What could you change to a more neutral wall tone?
• Take down religious items, and remove wall murals, or other decorative items that might appear too busy to prospective buyers.
• If you focus on maximizing the lightness of a room, you may also move your lamps around to get the best light at strategic times of the day.

Neutral paint is relatively inexpensive to buy and apply and it will make rooms appear larger and cleaner, giving a room a fresh look.

Conclusion

The motive behind all of this prep work is to change all the little things you can to boost the appeal of your house when you list it. You want top price, and these tips can help you get there.

Just don’t forget that the quickest way to sell might be through a direct purchase by a company, so bear that in mind along the way. It’s always good to have choices!