Homebuyers are looking for any excuse not to buy your home. Therefore, it is important to refine the little details that you may not notice when you are living in your home on a daily basis. Buy a new welcome mat, clean up your landscaping, wash down your walkways, open the doors and windows to get fresh air into your house and eliminate stale odors, organize your rooms and closets, and definitely clean your kitchen counters. Also hide things like scrub brushes, plungers, or other unsightly household items. You are trying to create a fantasy, do not leave things around that will detract from it.
If you are looking to sell your home there are a few things you can do to get top dollar for it.
- Winter: use throw rugs and spotlight functional fireplaces. As you get closer to the holidays use decorations like wreaths, pinecone centerpieces, and other festive decorations.
- Spring: Candles and fresh-cut flowers will help bring the alluring scents of Spring into your home. Swap dark towels and curtains for bright and inviting spreads, linens, and pillows.
- Summer: Showcase patios and other outdoor areas. Again, get rid of dark linens and towels to help make your home feel more inviting.
- Fall: Pumpkins by the door and vases of fall foliage will go a long way in making your home seem cozy and inviting. Keep fall leaves at bay and fill your home with seasonal scents like fresh baked apple pie.
Be honest about the history of your home, because the truth will come out one-way or another. Perform a pre-sale inspection so you know what issues your house has before you list it. This will give you the opportunity to either address them now, or disclose them to the seller before they find out from their inspection during the buying process. Trying to hide a major problem could possibly attribute to you not being able to sell your home.