You’ve decided it’s time to sell your home and buy your dream house. You may be ready for something bigger, smaller, closer to the city, or something with more land. Congratulations to you! You may be ready for a change, but is your home ready for potential buyers? Will your home make a great first impression?
If you’re not sure whether or not your home will impress and be a standout to potential buyers, Savvy + Co. agent Lori Latevola is here to help. Here are Lori’s five tips for ensuring that your house ‘Wows’ potential buyers.
1. Declutter!
My motto is, “If you don’t need to use it while the house is for sale, pack it!” This helps declutter and also makes packing less stressful once the house is sold.
2. Open Spaces
Remove a few pieces of furniture from each room to make the rooms appear more spacious. Make sure to place the furniture that remains in each room so that the natural flow of the room is obvious to the potential buyer. This will make it easier for them to envision their furniture in the space.
3. Freshen Up
A fresh coat of neutral paint goes a long way. The walls are some of the first things buyers see when then come inside the home. No one wants to see smudges or nicks on the walls of their potential home.
4. Don’t Make It Personal
You want the buyers to stay focused on the house and to visualize their things in the home. Removing items such as family photos, diplomas and other memorabilia will make the home a blank canvas. Also, remember to take magnets and artwork off the refrigerator. Keep it clean and simple.
5. Pet Proof
I know pets are part of the family – I have two myself! However, no matter how cute they are, not everyone shares a passion for fur babies. It is always best to remove pets from the home when people come to see it. Having strange people in the home can be stressful.
Before a showing, make sure to remove bowls, blankets and toys from view. My trick is to use a tote or a basket to put pet items in before a showing. Once the showing is over, it’s easy to return everything back to its normal place.
Want some more tips on how to get your house ready to sell? Or want to talk four-legged friends? Lori has lived in Charlotte for over 25 years and is part of the Great Pyrenees Rescue of Western N.C. Her experience in real estate will help your house put its best foot forward and help you to start a new chapter.
