Preparing Your Home for Sale: Where to Start
Faith Led Interior Design Show | Episode 56
Are you thinking about selling your home but feeling overwhelmed, not knowing where to start or what to do to sell your home for top dollar?
In today's episode, I dive into the exciting journey of getting your home ready to sell to impress potential buyers.
Creating that wow factor can make all the difference in home sales. It can help in attracting a real estate agent with interested prospective buyers and in securing a great offer.
I also take you through a guide called the "Market Ready Home Evaluation." This evaluation is not just an assessment. It's an investment in your success.
So, what are you waiting for? Let's dive in and make your home market-ready!
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Be Blessed Verse
This week’s verse is John 8:12
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In the beautiful words of Jesus, we are reminded of the profound blessing that awaits those who choose to follow Him. With a voice as warm and inviting as the sun's gentle rays, Jesus declared, "I am the Light of the World."
In these divine words, He offers us the promise of eternal guidance and illumination. By embracing His teachings and walking in His footsteps, we need not fear wandering in the darkness of uncertainty.
Instead, we are blessed with the Light of Life, guiding us towards joy, peace, and everlasting love.
May this verse serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the incredible blessings that await all who choose to follow in His divine footsteps.
Let us embrace His light and share it with the world, enriching the lives of others and spreading His love far and wide. Our world is surely in need of that!
Preparing Your Home for Sale: Where to Start
It is important to prepare your home for a successful sale and create a lasting impression on potential buyers.
So here are essential tips to get your home ready for the market:
1. Setting the Stage
Picture this – a clutter-free home look. Picture a beautifully organized homeroom that instantly captivates buyers as they step through the door.
For some of you, this may sound impossible, but it is a good idea that houses can and should be evaluated before the sale.
Is staging your home worth the cost? Several studies have shown that home staging can be a worthwhile investment.
RESA, Real Estate Staging Association, had a report in March of 2023 that said by investing 1.3 percent of a home's value in staging, 73 percent of sellers saw a return of over 7.1 percent. At times, I have seen it much higher than that.
By decluttering and creating a tidy environment or even a first-impression living room, you'll allow buyers to envision themselves living in the space. This is the same concept that builders use for model homes.
One mistake I have seen is that this does not mean making your living space so sparse that it does not look like anybody really lives there. That is ugly to me.
Homes show best when they feel like someone lives there who loves the home. They raised their family there. They thoroughly enjoyed living there and want someone to come in after they leave who loves the property as much as they do and did…I have heard over and over again that sellers care who buys their house.
As a Realtor with NAR, the National Association of Realtors, a Listing Agent working with the home seller, and an Interior Designer, my team and I will guide you through actionable steps to tackle the clutter and create a beautiful canvas for potential buyers.
One first step might be removing personal items like family photos. This helps buyers see the house as theirs, making it easier for them to connect emotionally and envision their future there.
However, many times I think this is taken too far. The home can look empty, cold, and has no personality. I don’t find that appealing, do you? I would not want that as my next home.
I want to see that real people live there. The entire house is beautiful, not perfect, which no house is.
The most important thing to most buyers is that it is a space that is cozy, has had a deep cleaning, is comfortable and I can see myself calling it my future home.
That is the goal, the best way, a space that is calling every buyer to get excited and see themselves and their family living there.
2. Enhancing Curb Appeal
First impressions really matter when selling your home. That is where curb appeal comes into play – it's your home's chance to shine from the street, the walkway up to the front porch, and the front door.
Start pretty…make a huge impact right away!
I have a Market Ready Home Evaluation. This is only done in person at your home.
The first time I meet with you, I will share expert tips on enhancing your home's exterior and interior.
From manicured lawns in the front yard, some touches of color in fresh flowers, to a fresh coat of paint, is a good way to ensure it catches the eye of potential buyers.
Create an inviting entrance and a welcoming first impression that says 'welcome home’, setting the stage for a positive buyer experience right from the start.
3. Staging for Success
A well-staged home is like creating a captivating story, and it creates the most value through furniture arrangement and decor. This allows buyers to envision themselves living happily ever after in your home.
Whether you choose to work with a professional stager or take the DIY route, I'll guide you through the process and highlight the advantages of each approach from the beginning to the final step.
Pro tips are a great way to help you showcase your home's unique charm and best features, and make it stand out, ensuring that potential home buyers fall in love at first sight. We give you the most important steps in the Market Ready Home Evaluation Report.
Here are some examples:
The lighting in the home is very important!
When showing a home all the light bulbs should be on. It makes the rooms feel brighter, more open, airy, and bigger.
Your home office can be a big selling point since COVID-19 and should be highlighted.
The Master bedroom, the primary bedroom, can start with neutral colors and add pops of color for emphasis.
The dining room is one of the first rooms buyers go to, the first is the kitchen, so they must look updated and fresh.
The home should have plenty of storage space, the more the merrier, and if you have it, it should be highlighted.
Pro tips help small rooms be made to feel bigger.
Extra furniture may need to be sold, refurbished, or go to a storage unit.
Fresh paint in neutral colour palettes, light colours, and natural light allow buyers to easily imagine themselves living in your space, their new home, increasing their emotional connection to the house.
Each report is custom to your home. There are so many more ideas. This takes the guesswork out of it.
4. Repairs and Maintenance
We'll walk you through the importance of making those necessary repairs, fixing those leaky faucets, patching up peeling paint, and attending to any other visible minor repairs.
These small fixes of normal wear and tear can have a big impact on the buyers' perception of your home's condition.
From minor touch-ups to more significant updates, we'll cover the key areas that you should focus on to ensure your home is in top shape for potential buyers.
By tackling repairs strategically, cleaning windows & using professional cleaners, you'll address many concerns a new buyer may have and show them that your home has been well-cared for.
This can make a huge difference in a home inspection too, and of course in the end result of a sale.
5. Last Thing - Clean House, Real Estate Professional, Professional Photographer, Open houses and a home sale.
We've explored the essential steps and the best things to prepare for your home sale, from decluttering and enhancing curb appeal to staging for success and addressing repairs. These strategies will help you make a lasting impression on potential buyers.
Remember, investing time and effort into preparing your home will pay off in the long run, as it increases the value of your home and the chances of a quick sale at the best possible listing price.
Now it's your turn to create a space that captures hearts and opens doors to countless opportunities.
After all is said and done you will want to get professional pictures of your home, this can make or break your online listing.
Buyers' agents may not even show a home if your listing pictures do not set you apart and make them die to come see it, can't wait to see it, and can't wait to show their buyers.
Are you considering selling your family home? Do you know your market conditions?
Before you take that exciting leap into the real estate market, allow me to introduce you to the “Market Ready Home Evaluation”, a step-by-step guide to help you get your top-selling price.
Starting with the home's curb appeal, with careful planning of the small things, the buyer's first impression can be fantastic, a good first impression.
A new coat of paint does wonders, and for very little, can add a lot of value to your home for sale.
Market Ready Home Evaluation
As a seasoned professional listing agent in the field, I bring a warm and personal touch to the home, ensuring that your journey toward selling your home is both smooth and successful.
Here are ten compelling reasons why you should have me by your side to perform this evaluation:
● Expertise: With years of experience in the home industry, I possess the knowledge and know-how to assess your home's market readiness accurately.
● Personalized Approach: I understand that no two homes are the same. I tailor my evaluation to your specific property, taking into account its unique features and potential.
● Comprehensive Assessment: From curb appeal to interior staging, I conduct a thorough examination of every aspect of your home, leaving no stone unturned.
● Valuable Insights: My evaluation provides you with valuable insights and recommendations to enhance your home's market appeal and good impression, increasing its potential to attract buyers. I point out how to spend the least money to gain the most profit.
● Professional Guidance: I offer professional guidance on repairs, updates, and staging techniques that can significantly impact your home's perceived value.
● Attention to Detail: I have a keen eye for detail, making sure that no small element goes unnoticed. It's special attention to those little designer touches that can make a big difference.
● Time-Saving: By entrusting me with the Market Ready Home Evaluation, you can focus on other important aspects of preparing for your move while I handle the details.
● Maximize Your Investment: Investing in a market-ready home evaluation allows you to make informed decisions that can maximize the return on your investment. Do you have family heirlooms you want to keep? Is there excess furniture or too little furniture? Is there too much stuff?
● Competitive Edge: In today's competitive real estate market, having a professionally evaluated home gives you a huge competitive edge over other listings, attracting more potential buyers.
● Faster Sale: By ensuring your home is market-ready, you increase the chances of a quicker sale at a desirable price, saving you time and stress.
So, are you ready to embark on a journey towards selling your home?
Why not invest in the future of your home sale?
A Market Ready Home Evaluation is more than just an assessment; it's an investment in your success. It's a decision that empowers you to take control of your home's market readiness and enhances your chances of a successful and lucrative sale.
Don't wait any longer.
Before you call a listing service, take action today and schedule your Market Ready Home Evaluation.
Even if you have no plans to sell yet this still could be great for you.
Let me guide you through the process.
Together, we can make your home shine in the real estate market and create an exciting journey towards a successful sale.
So, why wait? Let's embark on this exciting journey together. You can schedule your discovery call here. Or call 925-838-5962 or text me, (best way), today to schedule your Market Ready Home Evaluation, and let's make sure your home is ready to shine in the market.
I'm here to guide you away from red flags and towards a successful sale.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to create a sense of familiarity, trust, and excitement for potential buyers.
It's time to take action and make your home the center of attention in the real estate market and get it sold for top dollar!
It’s funny that Jesus is the “Light of the World” and we are talking about lighting up your home for sale. Lord, You are the light that illuminates our paths and I thank you for that! nd rejoicing over you with singing this week too.
Next episode, I will talk about Why Selling a Home During the Holidays Could be a Great Idea. Some of the answers may surprise you!
Until next time…
Now, Stop Dreaming, Start Designing your luxury home within your budget!
Blessings and See you next episode…
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