Putting your home on the market may produce feelings of overwhelm simply because there are so many moving parts to a successful listing. Aside from the obvious, such as cleaning and repairs, you may quickly become surprised at the small details that pop up from the moment your shake hands with your new realtor.
If you’re selling your home, consider these tips that are often overlooked by real estate rookies:
Be Mindful of First Impressions.
Imagine you’re a motivated buyer checking out a listing. You ring the doorbell to what you thought was your dream home only to be met with…silence. As the owner, you may have been so focused on repainting the interior walls that you didn’t even think about the doorbell. As the prospect, you may see this as a sign to move on, or at the very least a precursor to what you may discover inside.
Point being: first impressions are important. Whether it’s a silent doorbell, a dirty doorknocker, or cracks in your walkway cement, buyers are going to take note of how they felt when they were first introduced to your home. Make them feel welcomed, not weary.
Google Your Address
The information superhighway leads prospective buyers right to your digital door. One search on Google or social media networks will drum up every online occurrence related to your address or neighborhood. Take a moment to see what others are saying.
And for those who think that the internet isn’t a factor, know that 90% of buyers begin their house-hunting online according to the National Association of Realtors.
Declutter Your Closets
Fact: buyers are going to look inside your closets and cabinets. If there is a door that can be opened, they are going to open it. If they find a cramped closet full of knick-knacks and winter coats, they may have a hard time envisioning their own belongings in that space. The moment you decide to put your home on the market, start cleaning out your closets.
The job of an experienced local realtor is to take care of all of these minor details, as well as major ones, so that your home can be positioned in the best possible way in front of the best possible buyers. So when you start making your real estate to-do list, make sure that the first entry is “find the right realtor.”
Source: Realtor.com, 7 Important Things Home Sellers Often Forget to Do