Monday, July 19, 2010

6 Quick Tips to Sell Your Home - Guest Blogger: Jennifer Sammons

Hi! My name is Jennifer Sammons and I am the Buyer's Agent working for Brooke Cashion & Associates. Based off of my past years of experience in home design and staging, Brooke has asked me to provide you with some quick tips to help sell your home. Here we go...

In today's market, competition is thick and you must take extra steps in making your home stand out from the crowd. How can you do this? Well, it's really easy, it just takes a few minor attitude adjustments and you moving out...just kidding, you do not have to move out! You do have to take the "Home" out of your "House". What I mean to say is, depersonalize your home and turn it into a model house. This house is now on the market and your goal is to sell it...right? Everything must have a place and less is more. Here are a few quick tips to help you stage your home and sell faster for more money.

  • Less furniture in a room can make a room feel bigger. Even if you think that showing your massive bedroom suite/living room suite with all 5 or 6 pieces clearly shows what the room can hold, think again. You have just eaten up useful floor space for your potential buyer's wants and needs and your room is viewed as small and cramped.

  • Clean your windows, inside & out. Let the buyers see clearly all of the potential in your home and outdoor living space. Also, change your mini blinds out for 2" faux wood blinds or if you don't want the investment...just take them down completely.

  • Remove all the knick-knacks and items that you do not use on a daily basis from all countertops (kitchen & baths), bookshelves and furniture. Your collectibles are distracting to the space and your buyers. They can't see past your stuff to visualize their belongings in the house.

  • Update the fixtures. Thanks to the big box stores, lighting and plumbing fixtures have become more and more affordable. You can replace most fixtures for less than $100 each. Try not to get caught up in the trend colors...remember that is personalizing. Stick with polished chrome or brushed nickel. Currently polished chrome fixtures for lighting and baths are making a major come back. They are classic colors that never go out of style and they are the least expensive. By the way, do not forget to change out switch covers and outlet covers to match or go neutral. NO BRASS! Also, always check your light fixtures for burnt out bulbs...light is good!

  • Spruce up the entry. Make someone want to enter your home. You remember "don't judge a book by it's cover" well, that's what people are doing when they drive by your house. They are assuming that a rundown porch or entry could only indicate a neglected interior. A new rug, fresh paint on the door, new (black) shutters, new (black) light fixtures and live plants in good condition will add major value to your curb appeal.

  • Re-evaluate. Have you, your spouse, a friend and/or family member walk through the house and point out things that stand out, take the good with the bad. Remember try not to take this personally...this is no longer your "home", it's a "house" that's on the market. Highlight the good areas and fix the bad. You are moving on and the ultimate goal is to sell!

Finally, just as a bonus...list your house with Brooke Cashion & Associates to sell faster and for more money!!!!!!

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