The 2021 spring housing market is already one for the record books…and it’s not even spring yet!!! Through the past several years, inventory has continued to decline and insanely low interest rates have created a feeding frenzy for any house that comes on the market.
How will this spring be different? First, interest rates are beginning to rise so buyers who have already had a longer than planned home shopping experience are going to feel more pressure. Second, the narrative has shifted from “how long do we have to quarantine” to “how long until I get the vaccine.” Despite still being in the midst of a global pandemic, there is light at the end of the tunnel, which is allowing both sellers and buyers to feel more comfortable listing/viewing properties.
I have heard many people make the argument that this is such a strong seller’s market, you can basically just throw a house on the market at any point and sell it as is. To a certain extent that statement has some validity. But I’m not in the business of simply selling your house – I’m in the business of selling your house for TOP dollar. With that in mind, here are 3 incredibly simply, tried and true tips to get your house ready for market.
Declutter – The vast majority of us simply have too much CRAP. And while you may be very attached to said crap, the people who are looking to purchase your house have zero desire to see it. More importantly, it blocks them from seeing the truly wonderful aspects of your house – the ones that are going to net you mo’ money!
Remember, the key to effective decluttering is not moving things from one place to another, but removing them from the house altogether. Big or small, we want your house to exude the idea that everything needed in life can be housed there and that storage is not an issue. Once you feel like you’ve done a really good job of getting everything out, come in through the front door and walk through the house viewing it through the lenses of a home buyer. Still think you did enough? Yeah, me either. Keep going!
Curb Appeal – Let me tell you a story. There once was a young man who loved to wear suits, was clean cut and had a beautiful head of hair. He walked by an amazingly beautiful young lady who couldn’t help but be amazed by his stunning good looks. The young couple married less than 3 years after their first encounter and that same man now traded his suits for flannel shirts, has zero hair and a graying beard. The moral of the story is not that I hit my wife with an amazing bait and switch, but that the first impression is key!
All jokes aside, curb appeal is incredibly important. I can’t tell you how many times I am showing a house and see people do the slow down and stare to check out the exterior. Before they consider spending their time checking out the inside, they look to see if the outside is even worth it!
In the last week or two before listing, lay down some fresh mulch and pop in a few annuals for a splash of color (temperature permitting). You can put a fresh mat on the stoop and a nice wreath on the door to create an inviting presence. Remember, this is where the buyers and agent are going to gather for a minute or so while the agent gets the keys out of the lockbox, so make sure all surrounding fixtures, furniture, etc. are looking their best.
Professional Cleaners – This should be one of the absolute last steps before getting the house photographed and put on the market. What’s involved? Call a cleaner, hire a cleaner, pay a cleaner. What’s the best part of that process for you? Not cleaning!
Want more reasons? Most people clean what they can see. Now that you have decluttered closets, your pantry, shelves, etc., there’s going to be a lot more nooks and crannies that haven’t seen love in quite a while. Furthermore, I’m not one of these guys who subscribes to the idea of having a million Glade plug-ins throughout your home. When I walk into one those, my first question is, what are they covering up? What makes me and the buyers I work with feel good, is a house that looks AND smells clean. Oh, and did I mention you’re not the one cleaning? (I still think that’s the best argument, personally)
Just like there is no one-size-fits-all diet, preparing your house for market is completely unique to you and your situation. You can always call me to set up a consultation to find out what steps will help sell your house for top dollar in today’s market!
