It’s a well-established fact that when it comes to selling your home, you’re going to need to make it look as good as possible. It’s easy to think that buyers will want to put their own stamp on things so you don’t need to do so, but realistically, you’re selling a promise. People don’t just want to see an empty box; they want to see the perfect home they are trying to find.
So when you decide to put your house on the market, it’s going to have to go through an update. There are hundreds of tips and tricks to make your house more appealing, but we’re going to focus on those that are most effective. When you know where to target, you can invest your time and finances in the areas that are really going to make a difference.
- It’s got to be clean to attract buyers.
Many people looking to sell a home will start by arranging an open house. Literally inviting strangers into your house to look around, peer into corners and see how you live. You want these people to be keen to make an offer. You also want them to walk away not judging you, so it’s important to have a clean house. Even if you keep things tidy generally, residential house cleaning services can give a hand to make it sparkle.
- An old trick that works – sell via smell.
In the finest tradition of real estate, the use of homey, welcoming smells can trigger sense memories. People who walk in to an open house looking for a home do feel more relaxed and welcome if it smells like one. Many people bake cookies just before a showing. Fresh bread is another smell that works. If you can’t bake, there are even spray scents that ape that smell – supermarkets use them in their aisles.
- There is such a thing as too perfect.
While you want your home to be clean and tidy – and to smell like home – you aren’t selling a house in Stepford. Some people can walk away from a show-home feeling like it’s somehow soulless. If you’re selling a house to families, some sign that kids play there is no bad thing. Sure, you don’t want a rollerblade at the top of the stairs, but football jerseys on the washing line can work in your favor.
- People can make a decision before they reach the door.
In many ways, the garden and exterior are as important as the interior of the house. It’s that old curb appeal that realtors are so enthusiastic about. The inside should be clean and smell great. The outside, as well as being tidy, should also have a bit of a “wow” factor. Small fruit trees and fresh rose bushes can create a visual flourish as well as bringing life to the front of house.
Selling a house can be a stressful time. You want to keep a smile on your face to ensure the potential buyer walks away feeling the house will make them that happy too. With a few tricks and a helping hand or two, you can sell them that dream.