Usually when people decide to put their house on the market, they’ll do it between March and May. The weather is nicer, it’s tax time, and the holidays are over. However, life can be unpredictable and you may have to put your house on the market during the winter.
Now this may be a challenging endeavor, but it isn’t impossible – especially during a pandemic. Yet, 92% of the 1,000 real estate agents who participated in Homelight’s Q3 2020 survey say they’re experiencing a very strong seller’s market! This means if you’re thinking about listing, it may be a very good time to do so.
But, what can you do to make sure your house stands out from the sea of other homes waiting to be bought? We have a few tips that will increase the chances that someone will put an offer on your house in no time.
Let’s take a look at these simple but effective tips!
1. Get rid of clutter and unnecessary furniture
Unless you’ve moved out of your house already, you are going to want to make sure that your house is free of clutter and unnecessary furniture. You’ll want to go through every room, cabinet, and closet of your and sort through your belongings. The name of the game here is to give potential buyers a chance to see the space without getting distracted by your stuff.
This goes with furniture, too. If your living room is cluttered with too much furniture, the space will feel small and cramped, which signals to buyers the room is smaller than it actually may be.
2. Keep your home clean and tidy
Neat freaks around the world already have a leg up with this tip, but for those of us who tend to leave things where they lie, this is important! When buyers come to your house, you want to make sure that the house is spic and span – no one wants to buy a dirty house! If you don’t have the time to deep clean your home, consider hiring a cleaning company to come out and deep clean maybe once or twice a month.
3. Home renovations can help
For many of us, when we put our houses on the market, we’re hoping to make money, not spend it! However, if you choose renovation projects that have a good return on investment, it’ll add to the value of your home. Real estate agents revealed what design trends buyers want and in-law suites (26%), outdoor living spaces (20%), and separate rooms (10%) are extremely popular. So, while these projects may cost a pretty penny, they’ll appeal to buyers and improve the likelihood of getting an offer or two.
4. Make buyers feel welcome
Grey skies, cold and rainy weather aren’t known for putting people in a good mood. This means that buyers may not be in the best mood when they come by. That’s why you should create a welcoming atmosphere. You can do this by turning on all of the lights so it’s nice and bright. Have a fire going if you have a fireplace. Create a little reading nook if you have space. Drape a soft blanket over the sofa or a chair. Instead of spraying some canned air freshener, have something baking in the oven or have apple cider simmering on the stove. All of these may seem insignificant, but to buyers, it’ll give them good vibes and put them in better spirits.
5. Avoid loud colors/busy patterns
Your home may have a lot of personality and reflects your design aesthetics, but buyers aren’t necessarily going to have the same tastes. Loud colors or busy patterns can be distracting and even off putting. We recommend painting the walls a neutral color and hanging complementary drapes. Use furniture covers if the furniture has bold or patterned upholstery. The more neutral your space is, the easier it’ll be for buyers to envision themselves living in your home.
Putting your home on the market can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially if you’re waiting on pins and needles for an offer. These tips will make your home more appealing to buyers and it’ll just be a matter of time before the offers will come pouring in!
