David Cobb, an agent with RE/MAX All Properties in New Lenox, Ill., points to staging a home as a key step for sellers. When a home is staged, its owners remove clutter and rearrange artwork and furniture to best showcase a home. Staging can make rooms look larger and homes feel airier. Homes that are free of clutter and unnecessary furniture make a positive impact on buyers. Such homes, if priced appropriately, also tend to attract more offers.
“The younger buyers who are out there today are drawn to homes that are staged well,” Cobb said.
Condition is important, too. Owners should repair broken windows, replace torn carpeting and repaint interior walls that are chipped, faded or dirty. Exterior painting can also add appeal to a property, but it needs to be done when the temperature is at least 50 degrees, advise the experts, and watch out for inclement weather. Rain can ruin a fresh coat of paint.
“Repainting your home can make an incredible difference,” Cobb said. “Buyers deciding between your home and another might choose the one with a new coat of paint because it looks cleaner and fresher. Minor work, minor improvements and staging a property can tip the balance in your direction. These are simple solutions, but they can make your home much more appealing to the buyers who are walking in your door.”
