Prepping Your Home For A Successful Sale
When you're ready to sell your home, doing a little preparation beforehand can potentially help your home sell quicker and for a higher price.
Maximize Curb Appeal
Getting buyers through the front door starts at the curb. Manicure the lawn, and trim the trees and shrubs. Pull weeds and plant some colorful flowers. Clear the walkways. Fix peeling paint and wind up that hose. Paint the address number on the curb.
Make Repairs to Visible Blemishes
Is there something that’s an eyesore, but an easy fix? If looking at it bothers you, it could bother a potential buyer and reduce the appeal of your home. Replace burnt-out light bulbs, fix that loose door handle, and make needed paint touch-ups.
Make a Buyer’s Entrance Inviting
Freshly paint the front door with a color that contrasts the house. Add a new welcome mat and hang a fresh wreath on the door.
Let the Light Shine In
Remove heavy window coverings to let in the natural light we all crave and add lamps to brighten up darker areas to add more cheer.
Remove the Clutter
This serves two purposes.
Remove Personal Items
It will be much easier for potential buyers to imagine your home as theirs when they can envision their own items in it.
Highlight Special Features
Use accents and color to draw eyes to special features that you want potential buyers to notice—throw pillows, plants, or other eye-catching accessories.
Add Mirrors
Use mirrors to make rooms look larger and lighter. Position opposite windows for best effect.
Clean Out Cabinets and Closets
Buyers are nosy and they WILL open the cabinets. Make sure your contents are orderly and organized.
Eliminate Odors
Clean to remove any odors and do not cook any meals with heavy, lasting smells before a showing.
Add Aromas
You can easily add appeal by quartering an orange and adding it to a pot of water with a cinnamon stick. Simmer on low for an inviting aroma. Or bake a fresh batch of cookies (and leave a plate of them on the counter for visitors).
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
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Mortgage rates have ticked back up to roughly the same levels, as they were at prior to the Fed issuing its first rate cut in September.
Inventories are one of the most important leading indicators of price trends, and we’re seeing quite the increase in inventories in the East Bay in terms of both singl… Read more
If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership.
You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?” But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure whe… Read more
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts in 2024 provided some relief to some borrowers, but mortgage rates have remained stubbornly high. As of January 2, 2025, the a… Read more
The 2024 housing market looked progressively healthier with each passing month until Q4. The promising build in inventory during the first nine months of the year was … Read more
Experts are forecasting rates could settle in the mid-to-low 6% range by the end of the year.
You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.