The holidays are almost through and many Marin homeowners are thinking about putting on their homes in the New Year. Here are a few tips to prep your home for sale.
- Create curb appeal. First impressions can be everything. If it doesn’t look good out front, potential buyers may never enter the front door. Cut back overgrown landscaping, put fresh pots of flowers by the front door. Replace your exterior light fixtures if they are rusted and dirty.
- Paint. It is amazing how much a coat of paint can change the look and feel of a home. Use neutral colors but don’t go all white inside. Use paint to make your home feel warm.
- Clean, clean, and clean again. Make your home sparkle.
- Organize your closets, buyers will be looking in them.
- Remove excess furniture, clutter, and toys but don’t just move it to the garage, buyers look there too.
- Remove valuables, prescription medicine and personal items that should remain private.
- Eliminate odors. Bad pet smells can send a potential buyer running almost immediately.
- Have professional inspections before you put it on the market. Buyers are picky in today’s market and inspections are one of the primary reasons buyers back out of transactions. Know of any potential roadblocks before you put it on the market and eliminate those problems in advance.
- Consider professional staging. Staging works! Want more information about why you should stage? Read this excellent article about why to stage.
- Don’t spend a lot of money renovating without first consulting a Marin real estate professional. Renovating that kitchen before you put it on the market may not make sense.