Lessons from a closing
One of the keys to being a good Real Estate Agent is being a good listener. And one of my favorite places to listen is at the closing table. I like to hear why a buyer selected the house they bought. Recently, I was at a closing on a home that was over 30 years old. The HVAC unit was original, which can be a concern, but the buyer pointed out a number of features that stood out and convinced him that this home was well-maintained and a “good choice.”
What I took from the conversation with this homebuyer is advice all sellers should know. These simple extras can help sell a home more quickly and for top dollar.
1. Fresh exterior paint. If the home has siding or trim and you can see wood “bleeding” through flecks of paint, then the property needs to be painted prior to marketing it for sale. This should include the trim and door.
2. New carpet. There are a handful of things that all buyers despise. Old or worn carpet is usually first or second on everyone’s list.
3. Remove wallpaper. Buyers tell me that wallpaper makes a home seem “dated.” And it is a chore to remove! I have seen painters who would almost tear up when asked if they would take wallpaper down, repair the walls and paint.
4. Turn up the lights. A builder showed me a trick once: Put high-wattage bulbs in a house to brighten it up for sale. They make everything seem to “pop” compared with underlit rooms or rooms where bulbs are burned out.
5. Change air filters and vacuum the vents. If you have pets, this is a must!
6. Remove litter boxes and anything that screams “pets.” Now, I am a pet person. I have a dog and a cat. Not to show partiality to either, but nothing will kill a sale quite as fast as an odorous kitty litter box. And if door jambs and the woodwork have been gnawed by Benji, you need to fix or replace them prior to listing.
7. Fresh interior paint. The interior of a home shows best when walls are a neutral color, feature no more than two different colors, and have trim and baseboards that are painted a fresh white. I have been in houses where I could stand in one spot and see six different colors of paint - that is too busy for buyers to deal with, and it will make the house sit longer. Remember that dark colors make a room feel smaller, whereas lighter colors make a room feel larger. There is a reason why builders typically use neutral colors. They sell.
8. Pressure wash. You have seen it, I am sure: the side or back of a house that was “green.” I always encourage my sellers to pressure wash the exterior of the house. If needed, pressure wash the side of the neighbor’s house, too! (Do so only with their permission, of course.) And while you are at it pressure wash decks, sidewalks and driveways.
There is some work involved in each step, but if you can appeal to the largest number of buyers and make the home feel like new, it will sell quickly and for a premium price! Ready to get more exposure for your home? Call me and let me share my marketing strategy to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible and sold. (205) 821-3270.
