Written by Melinda Pye
TIP #1 - CLEAN YOUR HOUSE.
This can not be stressed enough!
Give your house a thorough cleaning, or better yet, hire a cleaning company to do the work for you. Let them know exactly what you want done and why.
Think about the feeling you get when you enter a hotel room or Airbnb. You are welcomed with a fresh clean scent and tidy space. This is what you want any potential buyer to experience when they see your home online or in person.
Cleaning your house is akin to taking a shower before company comes for dinner! Being clean while looking and feeling good is exactly what you want your home to convey to potential buyers.
As home stylists and photographers we request each vacant home we style be “Q-tip Clean” before installing any furnishings including bedding and accessories. This lets us know that our home selling client is serious about their home getting sold fast!
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TIP #2 - CHANEL YOUR INNER MARIE KINDO AND TIDY UP.
Home buyers, whether first timers or upgrading, be on the lookout to see what storage options are available in a home, be it big or small.
Whittling cupboards and closets down is never an easy task we know. Cleaning a closet is always easier said than done. But the reality is, potential home buyers need to see space so they know if they buy your home, their belongings will fit into their new home.
Closets and cupboards that are tidy and organized, not busting at the seams will give buyers a better feeling about your home.
We always let our occupied homeowners know that taking the time to edit closets, cupboards and storage spaces is the best way to start the packing process. Inevitably those closets and cupboards are going to need packing right?
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TIP #3 - ANCHOR A ROOM WITH A RUG.
Ever been in a home with beautiful floors, nice furniture and great decor but felt like something was missing? It was probably missing a rug! Rugs give a room definition by anchoring the furnishings to the floor space. Rugs are like icing on the cake really!
But rugs can be expensive right?! Think of rug buying as a part of selling your biggest investment. You can find great rugs for $100-$150 depending on where you look. Costco, Home Good, Target and Amazon are great places to start when looking for a new rug at a reasonable price. Don’t forget to checkout Facebook Marketplace, yard or estate sales and Offer Up.
Bonus point is that the new rug you purchased can find a place in your new home!
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TIP #4 - ADD VISUAL INTEREST WITH ACCESSORIES.
Home accessories come in all shapes and sizes. Before going out and spending money do a little online reconnaissance on Pintrest to get your creative juices flowing and come up with a plan for what areas of your home need a little extra attention. Have a look around your house including the garage for anything you have that could be used to add visual interest. Small accessories is where you can safely add spots of bright colors because they are small without overwhelming the room.
For example, in your kitchen no matter how much counter space you have, create a tray that holds a couple of coffee cups, sugar and cute cloth napkins and hang clean tea towels.
Visual interest should not include personal photos, religious accessories or taxidermy. You want any potential buyer to notice how they can live in the house you are trying to sell. If buyers focus on the family photos no matter how fun or great that memory is to you they won’t be able to visualize themselves living in your space.
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TIP #5 - DON’T FORGET THE OUTDOORS.
Don’t forget about the 'curb appeal’! Outdoor space should never be forgotten! A balcony or small patio can be a paradise to first time buyers. If you have a larger yard give it a good tidying up.
And remember any outdoor spaces are huge selling points to buyers. Make sure to have a look at your front yard, entryway, backyard and patio. Rake, sweep, add a new doormat, pot up some plants or set up a seating area.
Walk through your home like a potential buyer would starting at the curb and finishing in your backyard or patio.