Having a “Show Ready” Home

Deciding to sell your home does not stop at the signing of a listing agreement. Your REALTOR® will do everything professionally possible to ensure you get the best price for your home, and ensure its continued marketability.

Did you know…

You have a responsibility in selling your home as well. One cannot simply rely on the REALTORS® marketing and negotiating skills to sell a home. Your home may be competitively priced, have great details and benefits, yet show less than it’s worth. Yes, it’s true; it may be the black swan, hidden beneath clutter, toys, boxes, clothes, even colors that scream “help!”

One would be surprised how different a home can look if one takes the time to neutralize colors, reduce closet clutter, remove toys, and give the home a good “spring” cleaning. Take the time to remove boxes from closets and clothes and shoes that are not being used for the season. Why keep your heavy jackets, rain boots, winter boots, and sweaters in your closet when you are not going to use them? You may be surprised to find there are plenty of items you haven’t used in years, and if that’s the case… give them away to someone who will. There are plenty of shelters; women’s shelters, children’s shelters, and homeless shelters that can and will put them to good use.

Removing toys is a big issue. Many parents don’t want to put little Timmy’s toys away because he will get upset, or little Timmy has to have his toys or he will have temper tantrums. Mommy and daddy may find themselves having temper tantrums if the home doesn’t sell because little Timmy’s toys where everywhere. This isn’t about parenting skills; this is about the sale of your home. When my husband and I sold one of our homes, we took every single toy out of our daughter’s room, but before doing so, we asked her which toy she would like to keep. We explained that we were putting her toys away so that she could help us with the sale of our home. We explained that the sooner we sold this home, the sooner we could put her new toys in her new bedroom. Having her “help” ensured the home showed well.

Closet space is also very important. Even a large closet can seem small when it is cluttered with boxes, too many items on the floor, and out of season clothes. Keep only what you need and what you will use. Everything else can be boxed and put in storage, not somewhere else within the house.

Cabinet space in kitchen and bathrooms should also be organized and uncluttered. Believe it or not, home buyers always look in kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It’s not to see what kind of perfumes one has or if one has name brand cookware; they want to see how much space they will have for their own items.

Colors that are not considered neutral may be fun for the individual home owner, but the pinks, purples, yellows, reds, and greens may not fit well with a potential home buyer. Don’t think of neutralizing the interior of a home as an expense, think of it as in investment to increase value and decrease the days on market your home is for sale.

Personal items are usually cherished by the individual and they don’t add any value to your home. A home buyer does not need to see your delicates hanging off of your showerhead, or exposed on your closet or bathroom floor because you missed the laundry basket; and it certainly won’t help sell your home.

If you want your home to show well and sell, keep it clean and organized… let’s not forget, uncluttered.

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