Part 1:  Considering selling your property?

Read on for trends home sellers can incorporate into their market prep activities.

Normally, on the blog, I invite a business partner to give a third party perspective.  This time, you get the real deal from me, your resident expert on home staging and redesign, Whitney Vredenburgh, owner of Nested Spaces.  I’m excited to share the top ten ways to get your property sold for top dollar!

Welcome to part one of a two part series. Top Five Here we Go!

1. Be Clean.

  • The property should look and smell clean and well-maintained.  Neutralize any odors in the home
  • ALWAYS hire a professional cleaning service to deep clean your home prior to putting it on the market. Bathrooms and Kitchens should feel spotless.
  • Consider hiring a carpet cleaning service if your carpets are stained, dated or need a refresh.
  • Remember: Buyers don’t want to walk into a property and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box.  Put these away before the first open house, broker’s open or showing!

    Neutral cabinets and neutral walls make spaces feel larger and also clean. A pop of color, in this case yellow, adds visual interest.

2. Repairs & Maintenance

  • Have everything up to date. If something needs repair, fix it. Chances are you’ve become accustomed to these flaws, but a buyer will take notice.
  • Owner neglect lowers the asking price and lengthens the time required to sell. Inspectors always find things –big and small-so, fix the repairs you know about prior to the first open house. This will save you stress and money in the long run.
  • Make safety repairs. For example, fix cracked cement on the front walk, repair loose railings and planks on decks.

The flower beds are freshly mulched and the porch feels inviting with a freshly painted door, wreath and potted plants.

3.  Curb Appeal

35_Front

  • A well-kept yard is a buyer’s first impression, next to the virtual first impression through online photos.
  • Online photos are the first visual impression a potential buyer will have, make your property shine.
  • Be sure the lawn is not overgrown, has flowers and shrubs and new mulch.  A pair of fresh potted plants flanking the front door never hurts either!
  • White walls provide a clean landscape so that buyers can visualize the space and their items in the home.

4. Neutral Wins!

  • Paint is the least expensive and most transformative way to get your house market ready.
  • Benjamin Moore released their 2016 colors with the emphasis on white…..yes white! These colors give the appearance of cleanliness, clean lines, and more.  Plus, they are great for cabinets, trim and walls.
  • Always purchase neutral paint colors like Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter HC-172, Edgecomb Gray HC-173 or Shaker Beige HC-45, Swiss Coffee OC-45, and Ballet White OC-9.

In this case, neutral furniture compensates and tones down the color on the walls.

5.   The Heart of the Home

  • Buyers pay special attention to the Kitchen.
  • Change out old appliances for new, modern ones.
  • Reface your cabinets or purchase new cabinet doors if your current ones look outdated.  At the very least paint chipped or outdated cupboards.
  • Changing hardware is a an inexpensive way to update the space.  Hardware stores sell pulls for $2/piece.
  • Reduce clutter. Clear counters of appliances, mail/letters, and items to maximize the appearance of workspaces

    For Kitchens, cream cabinets and neutral walls make this space feel updated and fresh.

Numbers 6-10 will be posted on my blog in the next few weeks.  So, stay tuned.  Thanks for reading and sharing with those who might find this information helpful!  Leaving you with a nugget of wisdom from a home staging superstar.

Starrquote