Getting Ready to Sell Your House
By Andrea Eldert
It’s April and flowers seem to be popping up all over. So do ‘For Sale’ signs! Spring is traditionally a great time to sell a house. Maybe you are in the midst of getting your house ready to sell. If so, you know what a daunting task it can be, but keeping in mind what generally appeals to buyers can help you to prepare your house for good showings, which hopefully lead to good negotiations and a good final sales price. There are certain traits that are usually attractive to buyers, and highlighting these traits in your house can help put you in a good position. Some of the traits highest on buyers’ lists include the following.
Buyers Want a Bright House. People instinctively seek well-lit places and shy away from dark, shadowy spaces. We especially love natural sunlight, even when we are indoors. Knowing this, a seller should maximize the light in the house during a showing. Keep blinds and curtains open and have all lights on, even in bathrooms, hallways, and closets. Sellers should be sure that all light bulbs are working and that windows are not being blocked by large pieces of furniture.
Buyers Want a Clean House. While we may tolerate a little dust in our own houses, buyers do not want to see any in the house they are looking to purchase. It really is worth the time to thoroughly clean your house before putting it on the market…and somehow keep it clean for each showing. Having your carpets professionally cleaned is often a good idea. You also want to be sure that you eliminate any smells that may be hiding in your house, especially if you are a smoker or a pet owner. If a house doesn’t smell clean, people will not think it is clean.
Buyers Want a Spacious House. Of course, buyers want as much space as they can have, but what can you do about that? You can’t just add extra closets or square footage. However, you can make your home feel more spacious. You can do this by minimizing the furniture as well as the clutter in your house. Smart sellers often rent a storage unit during the time the house is on the market. With reduced furnishings and other belongings, rooms seem less crowded and even bigger to perspective buyers. And since people are prone to snoop, it’s a good idea to do the same in your cupboards and closets.
Buyers Want a House that is Move-In Ready. Moving is no small feat in itself, and many buyers are looking to minimize the work that needs to be done before relocating. When it is possible, sellers should take care of all needed minor repairs. Sometimes it even makes sense to do some major upgrades. If you think your house will be needing a new roof or a new furnace in a year or two, making the replacements might enable you to sell your house easier and at a higher price.
Buyers Want a House They Can Make Their Own. Finally, when you are getting ready to put your house on the market, remember that buyers want a house that will be theirs. It is their family that will live there. It is their style that will be reflected in the décor. It is their pictures that will hang on the walls. So it is important that your house doesn’t feel like your house. Putting away your own personal items as much as possible helps prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there instead. If you can, you should shift to more neutral colors and furnishings and avoid those unique pieces that make your house a reflection of you.
With these simple principles, you can make your house more attractive to buyers-to-be. As you begin looking at houses yourself, remember that Federated Bank has a variety of mortgage products to fit your needs. With FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages in addition to traditional mortgages, we can help you find just the right one for you. Some of these products offer features like low (or no) down payments, the elimination of PMI insurance, the ability for closing costs to be rolled into the mortgage, and relaxed credit requirements. We are always happy to sit down to talk through your options with you. Give us a call at 815-268-7676 and ask for me, Andrea Eldert, or stop in one of our branches to get the conversation started.
