Whether in-person or online via digital home tours or pictures it is vital to put your home’s best face forward. From the outdoor first impression to the less likely to be seen indoor areas below are seven tips to make sure prospective buyers see your home in its most appealing light.
Clear Clutter
If you are selling a home, it’s obvious that you are hopefully moving soon. What better way to motivate you to declutter your home? Do a quick pass through the house and determine which items can be donated, given away, or thrown away.
No. Really, Clear More Clutter.
Even after you have successfully done one pass through the home, go again, and this time, be merciless on getting rid of unwanted or superfluous items. This can be true for indoor spaces inside the home as well as outdoor spaces like porches or garages. During this pass-through, if there are items that you can’t or don’t want to part with, but removing would give your home an added appeal for buyers, find a way to store such items.
Refresh with Paint
Repainting your home can have a huge payoff. Whether your interior or exterior is dated or simply needs refreshing, a coat of fresh paint can have a great visual impact on your home. If this isn’t something you have experience with, consider hiring a professional to get the job done properly and quickly.
Shop The House
When making a good impression and showcasing your home’s best features, another way to work smarter and not harder is to re-imagine your furniture and decor in such a way that may enhance the optics of your spaces. Would removing a rug and replacing it in another space make a room feel larger? Would hanging a focal piece of artwork over a mantle highlight the beauty of the space? Would creating a seating area on a porch or in a living area help to tell a story about how the space can be used?
Light It Up
One often overlooked and under-appreciated aspect of highlighting your home is ensuring that all areas are well-lit. Consider adding outdoor floodlighting or sidewalk lights for photos and or late-night drive-bys of your home. Not only do these add a layer of safety and protection, but they can also literally illuminate your home. The same is true indoors. Make sure you have all lighting fixtures fitted with the proper wattage of light bulbs. Clearing windows of blinds or extra heavy window treatments will also allow for optimal natural light in your home.
Use Arrows
While this isn’t meant to be taken literally, as in, use a literal arrow to point to your home’s best features, it is meant to be done figuratively. What are some arrows you can use to draw the eye toward your home’s most impressive features? While you certainly don’t want to distract from serious issues in the home, you might want to consider if there are any major eyesores and what might be done to camouflage them. For example, do you have a small eating area? Use the arrow of less small clutter surrounding the walls and surfaces of the room to help quiet the space and maximize its appearance. Perhaps do the bathrooms feel outdated in their finishes? Consider a neutral or trendy shower curtain to tie together the older elements with something fresh and new.
Clean, Clean, Clean
One of the final, and arguably most important tasks to complete when attempting to showcase your home’s best look is to make sure your home is sparkling clean. From entryways being swept and cleared of cobwebs to cabinets, floors, walls, and surfaces, there is just something about the way a clean and tidy space reads– both in person and through digital imagery. While a mild scent of cleaning products might make a good impression, don’t overwhelm or inundate those viewing your space in person with too many smells. It could have a reverse effect and cause potential buyers to wonder what you may be trying to mask. Again, if you are pressed for time or energy, consider hiring a professional to do a thorough deep clean of your home.