Selling Tips

Selling your home can be an emotional and gut wrenching process.  The Ward Real Estate Team can help you through the selling process and guide you in every step along the way.  Here are a few helpful tips to help you prepare.

First Impressions…

You don’t get a second chance at first impressions and so it is important to underscore the importance of curb appeal.  A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clean walkway all contribute to a good first impression.  A torn window screen, scuffed up front door, and a broken landscape light all contribute to a bad first impression.

It boils down to this; you may not close the sale of your home within the first five minutes of a client visit but you can sure lose one.

Invest In Paint

Don’t take it personally but most potential clients will not find purple, midnight blue, and smoked rose as core colors for their new home.  A fresh coat of paint livens up any room and we suggest neutral-soothing colors like white or earth tones.  As one client said, “I need to imagine my furniture in this house… it is so much easier to do with neutral colors.”

Let There Be Light!

A sun soaked room is a magical feature to a house.  Open the curtains, shades or drapes to let in the sun and brighten the room.  If your drapes are dark or dated, replace them with something light.  If the windows are dirty, clean them.  Turn on lamps or overhead lighting and replace missing light bulbs.  Natural and artificial lighting will create an inviting ambiance to your potential buyer.

Take Care Of The Small Stuff

Every house has them but when you are trying to sell your house you need to take care of squeaky and hard-to-open windows, doors, and sliding-glass doors once and for all.  Make the adjustments and apply some WD40.  Also, make sure all plumbing is in working order, clean rust and soiled spots, empty trash baskets, and take care of any odors from pets or smokers.

The Kitchen Is Where It All Happens

The kitchen is such an important room.  It’s where we spend a lot of time and where everyone congregates when guests come for a visit.  Create an inviting atmosphere in the kitchen.  Fresh curtains, towels, and placemats can make the area feel welcoming.  Clear countertops of clutter and add bowls of fruit for a pop of color.  Remember, prospective buyers will look inside cabinets, so make space in cabinets and clean inside and out.

Blend Color and Convenience In The Bathroom

Remove clutter from bathroom counter-space and cabinets.  Clean and scrub the sinks, tub, shower, and polish mirrors and chrome.  Always clean the floors and walls.  It helps to keep the area deodorized.  Put out nice towels, and add some scented soaps or candle.

Living & Dining Area Basics

Arrange your living and dining room furniture to create an open, friendly effect.  Be careful of excessive plants (real or artificial) and family pictures.  Straighten cluttered bookshelves and discard excess papers.  Clean all the carpets, and polish the furniture and hardwood floors.  By adding a few magazines and flowers to the coffee table, you’ll portray an inviting and well-maintained home.

Family Rooms Are For Relaxing

In family rooms, your goal is to eliminate the clutter. Turn off all entertainment units and close all cabinets and doors.  Put away the Playstation and any media that’s lying around.  Place furniture in conversational groups, and showcase magazines on tables or shelves.

Bedrooms Are For Downtime

Avoid a crowded look in the bedroom by removing excess furniture and unnecessary items — keeping the room light and bright.  Clean bed linens, with decorative pillows and shams, are important. Arrange nightstands to display books, plants and family photos.

Value Goes From Top To Bottom

Permit visitors to see the value of your property from the front entrance to the back and through the garage.  Remove unnecessary pieces, and neatly arrange stored boxes and cartons.  Darker spaces may be lightened with new paint or additional lights in room and for stairs.