Buyers are savvy and know what they want when it comes to purchasing a new home. Because so much information is available online, buyers often initiate their home search before they step foot inside a residence, and when they think about much money home ownership requires, most expect the home buying experience to be seamless and the home to be pristine. Here are some tips on how to get on a buyer’s good side!
1. Curb Appeal: The first thing a buyer will see when they pull up to your home is the landscaping. Overgrown yards and weeds will make some buyers drive away before they even give your home a chance. In addition to mowing the lawn, trimming the trees and shrubs, mulching your garden beds, and pulling the weeds, add some potted annuals out front to add color and visual appeal.
2. Bathroom Lighting: Next to kitchens, bathrooms sell homes. Outdated lighting in a bathroom is an easy fix, but those 1970’s lighting strips will be a major turn-off to buyers. Replace bathroom lighting with an updated fixture from a home improvement store.
3. Paint Selections: If you’re selling, paint your home in warm, neutral colors like beige or ivory and offset that color by painting the trim bright white.
4. Popcorn Ceilings: Popcorn ceilings can be a health hazard. Many contain asbestos, so if your home was built prior to the mid-1980’s, you should have the ceiling inspected. Hire a licensed inspector to test your ceiling first, and then look into having it removed by a drywall or painting contractor. It’s an expensive undertaking, but it will payoff in the long run.
5. Flooring: When a buyer opens the door to a prospective new home, they often expect wood floors. If you have wall-to-wall carpet in your home, consider pulling it up to expose the wood below. However, if keeping your carpet is the only option, have it professionally cleaned, particularly if you have children or pets.
