How To Give Your
Home A Face-Lift:
The Sellers' Guide To A Quick Sell
by: W. Troy Swezey
One of the great challenges to selling a home can be
showing all of its space, decor and natural light
potential. For example, every home has crowded closets
and dead space. Sellers should be aware that areas such
as these are easy to spruce-up with a little elbow
grease and old-fashioned innovation.
Begin by evaluating your closet/storage space,
determine which areas can cut-down in clutter. Go
through old clothes, shoes, etc., and get rid of
anything that will not be used and in turn create more
space. Consider organizing shelves and other areas to
make better use of your storage space, including your
garage and basement. Also, try to throw out or give away
any old furniture that is no longer of use. All of the
discarded items can be given to Good Will, Salvation
Army or even sold at a yard sale.
Although most sellers keep their homes clean and
well-decorated, it can be difficult to convince a buyer
of a home's potential when clutter is noticeable. As
brokers, it's our responsibility to offer any tips that
will expedite the sale and make the experience more
enjoyable for the seller.
Once you've eliminated the unwanted items and
furniture, begin the 'renovation' process. For
non-storage spaces that could use a little more decor,
consider adding a small bookshelf complemented with a
cozy reading chair. Always be sure you're filtering as
much light into your property as possible. Open or
replace curtains. For example, light from a window
overlooking the backyard offers a room more color, a
great view and the illusion of more space.
Always maximize the potential of existing decor; wash
old curtains, re-stain old wood casings, anything that
refreshes and emphasizes all the potential of the space
and decor of the home.
Prospective buyers are often more drawn to homes with
features that they don't have, those with clutter-free
closets, open sunny rooms, and cozy little corners. To
ensure you've realized all of the above characteristics
the last step should be to bring in a friend and observe
their reaction. Make sure it's an honest friend, who
will offer suggestions as well as notice the
improvements. Seeing your own home through someone
else's eyes is a great way to make a home optimally
attractive and more sellable to prospective buyers.
Be diligent in your efforts and be sure the
renovations improve the aesthetic appeal of the home.
All the hard work will be worth the reward of a
successful sale.
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