Our readers loved our article on Home Worth, so we decided to give you an in-depth, multi-part article with tips to help you sell your home (and fast!) Selling your home can be one of the most exciting, and also frustrating times in your adult life. Staging your home for sale can reduce the time it takes your home to sell, as well as increase it’s market value. 

Remember: as a seller you need to understand that the way we live in our home is not the way we sell a house. We want potential buyers to envision themselves in your home, not wonder what kind of people live there. A real estate expert can help you stage your home, but it’s also important to understand what they’re going to ask you to do to your home, and why.

Some of the very first things to consider are...

How much are you willing to spend to prepare your home for sale?

• It’s important to determine a budget before you start to prepare your home for sale. How much money are you willing to put into the home, and how do you want to allocate these funds? Sizing up the repairs/updates needed, as well as little things can help you draw up a budget. Which things require a professional, and which can you do yourself? Make a list of what needs to be done, budget it, and try to stick to it as closely as possible to avoid overspending.

What needs repairing, updating, or replacing?

• There are probably tons of things in your home that have becoming worn and used over the years, this is the time to update or replace them! If a buyer comes to see the house and spends the whole time counting up minor repairs they’ll need to do, it can hurt your chances of selling the house. 
• Update your kitchen: installing granite countertops, new appliances, or new cabinets can be a great investment when trying to sell. If there are any major problems with the house (air conditioning, mold, plumbing) make sure you fix them before starting to show the house. Maybe even offer your buyer an allowance to make repairs after closing, so that they know they can trust you!
  

Inside, what objects and furniture can I let go of to de-clutter the space?

• Sellers should purge the house of all personal belongings, family photos, and countertop appliances. If you can, rearrange furniture to help the room appear larger. Buyers want as much space in a house as possible, and clutter tends to close spaces. Any collectibles, clothing, shoes, and other personal belongings should be picked up each day before showing the house.

Neutralize the rooms, colors, and other spaces:

• We want buyers to envision themselves in our house when selling, remember? Not everyone enjoys the same colors as you, and not everyone has the same gender children as you… or children at all! Re-paint any walls that have unusual or bold colors a more neutral color like cream or tan. If rooms look gender-specific (pink or blue, for example) paint them a neutral color as well. Change overly bold curtains, sheets, carpets, and anything else that might turn a buyer off to your house.

Does my home SMELL inviting?

• Almost nothing turns a buyer off faster than a smelly house. Investing in a professional carpet cleaner or upholstery cleaner can help reduce odor in a house that pets, kids, and years of living can leave. If you are a smoker, make sure your house has been thoroughly deodorized; smokers and pet owners can be oblivious to objectionable odors so a second opinion might be necessary. In some circumstances replacing the carpet and padding might be necessary for heavily soiled floors. Also, be aware of what you cook when you know a buyer might be visiting soon. Cooking things that are inviting and pleasant might enhance your property: cookies, breads, or cinnamon rolls smell nice… just make sure you don’t burn them!

These first steps are very important when beginning to stage your house, but not even close to all that needs to be done. A potential buyer may decide to consider a house (or not) based on the view they see when they arrive for a showing. In fact, most people do an initial drive-by before even deciding to view a house! As part of the staging process, you’ll need to take a walk around the outside of your house and decide what you can afford to fix, update, replace, or plant.

Some things to ask yourself about your house are:

What is your first impression of the house and yard?

- You may want to get a second opinion on this since you see your home every day and have become accustomed to the way it looks. Ask a friend, family member, or (hey!) your realtor what their objective view of the house looks like. You may be surprised at what you hear. Things such as untrimmed grass, rusty rain gutters, or a worn paint job can add up to making your house look less than its potential.

What small repairs or updates can I make to improve the overall look of my house?

- Small things add up, they really do. How does your mailbox look? Could it use a fresh coat of paint (or be replaced completely)? Look at your front door, is it worn and outdated? Installing a newer, more attractive front door can do wonders for a house. If you can’t afford a whole new one, painting it a different color will give the door an updated look on a budget. While you’re in the doorway, observe your welcome mat. It’s probably seen better days. Invest in a new one to welcome potential buyers into your home properly! Also – don’t forget to replace old hardware such as house numbers, the entry door lockset, or the overhead light fixtures. The outside of the house should reflect the home's interior, so adding clean, stylish accents can add some pizzazz to your home. Try to keep any décor such as light fixtures, and front door accents symmetrical, as it’s more pleasing to the eye.

What landscaping projects need to be completed before I show the home?

- The way your yard looks is a big factor in curb appeal. If a buyer drives by and sees dead grass, unruly limbs, or weed-infested gardens it could lead them to think that the rest of your home may be neglected also. Make sure all gardens and flowerbeds are alive, pruned, and free of weeds. You’ll also want to make sure all bushes and tree limbs are trimmed as well. If you can afford it, hire a professional landscaper to come in and trim your yard, install a new planting bed, and take care of all edging and weed eating. If you’re on a budget, do it yourself, but remember to pay special attention to the details. Once the major stuff is finished, add flowerboxes in the windows or some vines to frame the entryway. Anything to make your home look colorful, polished, and appealing!

Once the outside of the house looks like a model home (or as close as you can get to one), there are several finishing touches you will need to apply before the house is ready to show. Check back next week for the final installment, and more tips for staging your home for sale.

If you have any questions about selling your home, you can call 1.877.284.2489 anytime to get in touch with a real estate expert.

If you are looking for homes for sale in the Austin, Dallas, Round Rock, Frisco, Plano, Lakeway and Westlake areas please click on www.homecity.com and search for homes.