Good news for sellers: If you’re thinking about or planning to sell your home and wanting to maximize the return on your investment (ROI), there are key things you can do that are affordable and add a lot to your home’s overall presentation and appeal to buyers.
Most people are very visual, so by doing even the basic things you’re maximizing your home’s appeal to multiple buyers.
Broker vs. Doing it on Your Own
Working with an experienced real estate broker vs. for sale by owner (FSBO) has been proven by the National Realtors Association to net up to $60,000 more in sellers’ pockets than those who try to sell their home on their own, even after the commission is paid. And this doesn’t even factor in the time savings for sellers in terms of marketing (and that expense), listings, open houses, contract negotiations, and closing.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Yes, most homes can be sold right now without having to do a thing. But remember, you will usually make a lot more from the sale of your home by decluttering.
Cleaning up landscaping and the front entrance are good places to start. Inside, removing personal items and pairing down excess furnishings and other household items, including cleaning off countertops, and removing photos are critical. Considering some fresh interior paint if there are a lot of marks and wear, all help the new buyer imagine themselves living in what you want them to see as their new home — not yours. Most people are very visual, so by doing even the basic things you’re maximizing your home’s appeal to multiple buyers.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Having high-quality photography is paramount, which now includes Matterport videos that offer a digital and thorough walk-through your home. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression and that usually begins online, with buyers looking and coming from all parts of the country and world. Equally important, is that you use a professional photographer and possibly a staging artist who knows how to showcase each room in its best light and make it look model-home ready.
A good real estate broker should provide you with a list of items to remove and store — both for photo sessions and showings. These include but are not limited to removing everything from the kitchen counters, hiding trash cans, storing animal food and bedding (and removing odors for showings), hiding TV controls, having beds perfectly made, and turning on all the lights.
While this is just an overview, the point to remember is less is more when it comes to personal items and even small changes yield big results — money in your pocket. Visual appeal goes a long way in attracting buyers and maximizing your ROI.
(Photos and descriptions, courtesy of: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties.)
Thalia Leiva and Alida Zwaan are Chairman’s Gold Circle Award winning broker associates for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties, putting them in the top 2% of the 50,000+ company network brokers nationwide. Fluent in Spanish, Thalia is based out of the company’s Eagle Ranch office down valley; and Alida, the Vail Lionshead office. They can be reached at [email protected] or 970-306-2016 or [email protected] or 970-471-0291.