Preparing Your Home:

There are a number of ways to make sure that your house is ready for sale.                 

First, de-clutter your home as much as possible. This is important because you must depersonalize the property in order for the potential buyer to envision their own belongings in the house Also, having a select number of items on view gives the property a sense of clean, open space.

Next, make sure that your home smells good. A clever tip is to have the smell of freshly baked bread, cookies or coffee in the house to give a cozy, homey aroma to the property. If you don't have time to do this there are number of quality plug-in air fresheners on the market that will provide a pleasant smell when entering your home.

If possible, keep the colors of walls and all internal features as neutral as possible. By keeping the colors of the house neutral, it will help in making the rooms look both larger and brighter. Having a neutral color scheme throughout your house gives the potential buyer a blank canvas onto which they can stamp their own preferred styles.

When you have potential buyers coming to view your property you should clean the house from top to bottom. Some viewers have a habit of looking everywhere in the property (this includes cupboards, drawers, and bathtubs). So, make sure that everything is clean, even the toilets. If you find you have lime scale around the taps, the bath and the toilet, make sure it is removed. This shows the potential buyer that you have maintained the property well.

The next thing to consider when selling your home is your pets. If you have pets, it may be a good idea to remove them from the house while potential buyers are viewing the property- not all people like animals. Also, ensure that you have removed the smell of your pets as much as possible. This may mean that you have to have the carpets cleaned prior to any viewings.

First impressions are always the most important. Remember that the outside entrance to your home is one of the first things that a potential buyer will see. The more curb appeal your property has the more likely a potential buyer will want to enter it. So, if you have any plants around your house make sure that any dead ones have been removed. See that the lawn is cut and your driveway is in good repair, potential buyers might not be interested in a house if they have to consider further expenses.

If you have a patio area keep it clean and tidy. Any fencing around your property should be well maintained. Fixing a broken slat or a coat of new paint could mean that extra money on the sale of the property.

For additional tips, or a complete CMA of your property please contact one of our experts at MARI VESCI REALTORS, Inc. today! 239-566-8989

 
Home Stager to the Stars Reveals Top Tips to Sell Your Home:

Home stager to the stars Beth Ann Shepherd, president of the Los Angeles luxury-home-staging company Dressed to Close, knows a thing or two about best positioning a home for sale.

"We see hundreds of homes each year and are acutely aware of what sells and what does not", said Shepherd. "Designing a sellable home is different than designing a practical home. We have identified certain elements that create a perception of brilliance and success in the home. Likewise, we have identified certain elements that decrease the perceived value of a home"

Below are her top tips for staging your home to sell to provide sellers with a viable solution in a slow real estate market:

Glamorize your curb appeal: Whether it is all new sod, fresh landscaping, new exterior design, landscaping lights or an updated front door and handle, curb appeal is paramount to getting buyers through the front door.

Make a memorable entrance: The minute a potential buyer walks in the door, they should think "looks good, sounds good and smells good". Put an over sized mirror in your entry or a dramatic piece of artwork. Fresh flowers and scented candles go a long way for this first impression.

Refresh old or worn attributes of the home: If you have hardwood floors, have them sanded and re stained in a darker color. Dark wood floors are popular and add drama. If you have carpet, have it steam cleaned or replaced with a taupe berber, which makes the room appear larger.

Make furniture unobtrusive: Open your mind to new furniture layouts. The fireplace does not always have to be the focus of your seating area. A lanai, beachfront or pool area may be more pleasing to the eye.

Modernize your kitchen with stainless steel appliances: Stainless-steel appliances immediately add perceived value. If you have the room, add a glass-front wine cooler.

Get the five-star hotel look in your bathroom: Add thick, white, luxury, hotel towels into your bathrooms to project the "five-star hotel"  look.

Clean, reconfigure and reorganize closets: Have closets only half filled to capacity. Have all your shoes on racks and nothing on the floor. If your closets are dingy, paint them white. Put cedar blocks for scent and always have matching wood hangars for every item of clothing. Again, you are projecting a lifestyle of organization and great success.

Look at your master bedroom like a luxury hotel suite: Consider thick, white sheets, pillows, duvet and duvet cover. Add a tray with a couple books. Scented reed diffusers or scented candles and a nice, warm color make the room feel comfortable. A plant that reaches the ceiling adds perceived height. Do not have clutter or photographs.