Nothing kills a showing like a dirty bathroom.

With the amount of real estate sale and staging information that is targeted directly to the consumer through TV, internet and social media, it might surprise you to know how many houses I take buyers through that aren’t showing-ready. It is hard to be objective in your own space, but in my experience the “less is more” rule almost always applies. It may take a couple weekends to organize, donate, purge and clean, but I promise you it will result in a much higher probability of snagging a buyer. 

Here are some ideas that I guarantee will improve the impression your home makes on a potential buyer:

• Clean (no, I mean REALLY clean) your bathrooms and kitchen. Eliminate items on the counter and scrub every surface until it sparkles. Even if it is dated, a clean bathroom or kitchen will invite buyers to see a comfortable space rather than distract them with messy details.  
• Resist the urge to pack your closets and cupboards full of stuff. Box up off-season coats, shoes and other items that you aren’t using regularly (even better if you can store them at a friend’s house) so that buyers aren’t left with the impression that your home doesn’t offer enough storage or space. That’s not a myth; buyers will draw that conclusion.
• Minimize, minimize, minimize. Extra furniture in a room can leave it feeling small, and nicknacks and personal items, as beautiful and special as they make the space for you, can sometimes overwhelm a buyer and diminish the features of the home.  
• Finish unfinished items so that buyers will know your home is one that has been well-cared for. The caulking that is peeling away around the tub, unfinished trim, burnt out bulbs and peeling paint are all items that can leave a negative impression. You can’t underestimate the percentage of the buying decision that is based on the feeling a buyer gets when they walk through the home.

Selling your home is easier with an experienced, objective set of eyes to go through the space and give you a specific plan of attack to prepare your home for the market. When you list with me, I will work with you to ensure that we get your home sold as quickly as possible for the most amount of money. Want to chat about it over coffee? Give me a ring – I’m buying.