Imagine putting your home on the market only to discover that no one is willing to meet your asking price. You have done all the right things. You have staged your home just as your real estate broker recommended. You have handled all of the maintenance and upkeep issues. You have even invested in certain upgrades. Still, every offer you’ve received seems too low. Why?
There could be any number of reasons. Perhaps you’re currently in a buyer’s market, a market in which excess supply gives buyers the opportunity to low-ball sellers. Alternatively, your home could be located in a neighborhood that doesn’t command such high prices. But it could also be that you are not showing the home correctly.
At CityHome Collective, a Salt Lake City real estate brokerage staffed by realtors and interior designers, presentation is everything – even in what is considered a seller’s market. Getting the price you want relies on creating the image your buyers want. Get the presentation right and things should go your way.
To that end, here are the top three secrets for selling your home at your price:
1. Make It as Impersonal as Possible
The point of staging a home is to create an environment that allows buyers to imagine themselves living there. Staging is a common strategy among today’s real estate brokers, whether they are selling modern condos or luxury homes. But do not misunderstand what staging is. You don’t want to stage in such a way as to make your home too personal.
Quite to the contrary, it should be as impersonal as possible. You don’t want buyers to feel as though they are invading your space during your viewing. Otherwise, their imaginations will be suppressed.
Making your home impersonal starts with removing personal items, like family photos and mementos. You will also want to get rid of collectibles, clean off the fridge, wipe the note board clean, etc.
2. Make the Exterior Pristine
Professional stagers are particularly good at making interior spaces attractive to buyers. The one thing they often fail to mention is the exterior. Do not make the mistake of ignoring it yourself. Remember that you only get one chance to make a good first impression. A buyer’s first impression is going to be heavily influenced by what they see from the street.
The exterior of your home should be absolutely pristine. Make sure to keep the grass cut and trimmed. Manicure your shrubs, fertilize the flower beds, and repair any damage to sidewalks or pavers. Spruce up the paint on the trim if necessary. The better your home’s curb appeal, the more positive that first impression will be.
3. Clear Out the Closets
This final secret is one you rarely hear about: clear out the closets. You do not want them completely empty; half empty will do. So remove half your clothing and put it in storage. Take half of the stuff off the shelf and store it away as well. The overall effect of your efforts will be making your closets appear bigger.
It is commonly understood that kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms when it comes time to sell. But a close third is closet space. Homes are often accepted or rejected based on the amount of storage they offer. So if you can make your closets look bigger, you will have an edge. By the way, the same trick works for kitchen cupboards and bathroom cabinets.
You now know the top three secrets for selling your home at your price. If you are planning to sell this year, keep them in mind.
