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26
What Home Sellers Forget To Do
When you decide to sell your home, preparing to put it on the market can be a big undertaking. Even if your home is in good condition, there's a list of things to tackle before you list it for potential buyers. To make sure your home stands out to buyers, our real estate agents recommend completing 6 important tasks that many sellers forget to do.
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Create Great Curb Appeal
When buyers are looking for South Bend homes for sale, they often check out new listings by driving through the neighborhood to get a closer look at the house and taking photos of houses that stand out. Since the front of the house is the first thing they see, great curb appeal means everything. To make an impression and create an inviting home:
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- Touch up the paint
- Clean up the front yard
- Trim trees and hedges
- Plant new flowers
- Clean out the gutters
- Pressure wash the driveway
- Install outdoor lighting
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Enhance Outdoor Living Spaces
While curb appeal makes a great first impression, don't forget about important outdoor spaces like the front porch, patio or deck, back yard, and side yard. Buyers will be drawn to outdoor living spaces with places for entertaining and a comfortable atmosphere. Spruce up your backyard, porch, patio, or deck with comfortable outdoor seating, potted plants, and colorful outdoor rugs that provide visual interest. Consider a cozy fire pit for warmth and perimeter fencing for privacy. Comfortable outdoor living spaces are important to buyers.
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Eliminate Stains and Odors
When you're trying to attract potential buyers, the last thing you want is ugly stains and unpleasant orders in the house. Walk through your house and take note of dirty hand prints on walls, water stains on walls and ceilings, and musty odors from mildew or trash. If you have pets, your house may have odors you no longer smell. Before buyers arrive, paint over stains, empty trash cans, open up windows, and plug in room fresheners for a clean, fresh home.
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Declutter and Organize Closets and Cabinets
Most sellers take the time to clean and organize interior spaces, but many forget about their closets and cabinets. During a home tour, there's a good chance that potential buyers will look in your closets, cabinets, and drawers to assess their storage needs. To maximize the view of storage in closets, cabinets, and drawers, get rid of unwanted clothes, shoes, old linens and towels, unused cosmetics and toiletries, and expired medications.
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Pay Attention to Your Floors
When buyers enter a new home, one of the first things they notice is the floors. Most buyers are looking for hardwood flooring, so if you have it make sure it's clean and waxed. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs, shampoo them and make sure they don't look frayed and worn. If carpets and rugs are approaching the 10-year mark, consider recarpeting or installing laminated wood planks or tiles for an updated look.
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Gather Important Documents
Before you put your home on the market, gather important documents like manuals, warranties, and service records on home repairs and put them in a file. Buyers and home inspectors may ask questions about the age of the roof, the furnace, the central air conditioner, the plumbing, kitchen appliances, and outdoor amenities. Be proactive and gather important records before you list your home, so you can answer important questions.
If you're considering buying or selling a home in South Bend, contact us for questions and assistance. We can guide you through the process and provide all of the real estate services you need for a successful outcome.
Note: a subscription to the Do Not Call list does not apply when requesting information from our company.
