With the real estate market emerging from the recent shutdown, the expectation is that inventory of homes for sale will rise. We’re actually already beginning to see that increase, and with more homes on the market it could impact the time it will take to sell your home. When there are choices, home buyers can then afford to be a bit choosy. Scroll on to see some small investments you can make to your home that will elevate your homes value long-term while improving your lifestyle now. You can learn more about the Compass Concierge program here.

There are some tried and true things you can do to effectively improve not only the opportunity of selling your home, but by making it look its best, be positioned to capture its highest value.  Here are a few recommendations.

1. Improve the appearance outside of your home. When a buyer drives up to your home curb appeal will be of crucial importance. Tidying up the landscaping, planting flowers, pressure washing the home, and doing touch up work if needed will help make that good first impression. A new coat of paint on the front door works wonders and investing in a new doormat can really make a big difference.

2. Make necessary repairs. You will want your home to be in great condition. By making repairs ahead of marketing you home for sale you may avoid issues that can come up during a buyers inspection. I generally recommend that sellers conduct their own inspection before bringing the home to market. By finding issues before the buyers do, not only will the home present better, but the buyers will have a better impression of the homes condition and how it has been cared for, and there will be less chance of loosing money in subsequent negotiations.

3. Depersonalize the inside of your home. You want buyers to visualize themselves in your home. Remove personal photos and buyers will have a better opportunity to envision themselves in your home.

4. Remove clutter. Often having lived in a home over time we may have accumulated extra items that take up space and that can make a home appear smaller. Get rid of a lot of extra stuff. Their elimination will make spaces appear larger. Remember, less is more.

5. Organize closets and drawers. When extra clothing is removed from the closets it creates the impression spaces are large, and the home is organized, and well tended to.

6. Make your home shine. Give your home a top to bottom cleaning. Include cleaning the hood fan over your stove and heating vents. Change out the HVAC filters and make surfaces shine.

7. Take the color of your home down a notch. You may like the yellow walls in your bedroom, but there is a chance it will not be well received by buyers. Find a neutral wall color that works in your home. I recommend the color Whisper White from Sherwin Williams.

8. Eliminate bad odors. An air neutralizer sprayed throughout your home goes a long way to freshen the air. Baked cookies, and scented candles also work.

Contact me on ways we can work together utilizing our Compass Concierge program to improve your home prior to bringing it to market.