Must Read if you are going to sell your HOME
SECOND MOST IMPORTANT ROOM
Don’t Forget the Second Most Important Room When Selling Your Home
So you’ve just replaced the cracked molding in the living room, repaired the leaky kitchen faucet, retitled the utility room, and even managed to get the front yard (a former disaster area) in tip-top shape.
But wait, there’s one room you may not have given enough attention to -- despite the fact that many real estate experts stress it is the most important room in the home -- after the kitchen -- to showcase.
Experts agree that a home featuring modern, immaculate, luxurious-looking (at least in appearance), functional, well-maintained bathrooms can shorten the amount of time the home spends on the market. Although a home may contain more than two bathrooms, most of the focus should be directed toward just the master bathroom and the guest bathroom.
Think about it – the guest bathroom will most likely be visited by many of your potential buyer guests. According to real estate insiders, the time a home shopper spends in this room is also time spent in evaluating the home as a whole. So, it stands to reason that if they are surrounded by spotless walls, shiny fixtures, and well-functioning faucets and toilet, it will leave a lasting, positive impression on them. And, of course, the prominence connected with the master bathroom – as a kind of companion piece to the master bedroom -- can’t be denied.
So given the significance that should be placed on upgrading/enhancing your bathroom(s), keep in mind the following useful suggestions:
Create space – An illusion of spaciousness can be achieved by effectively positioning mirrors (think about those stretching from sink counter top to ceiling), and bright lighting – especially over the sink area. Also, if it’s within your budget, a new floor made up of large tiles with a shiny surface (for reflecting light) will augment the illusion of extra space.
If putting down a new tile floor isn’t in the cards, make sure the floor is spotless and shiny, and, if you find it’s not possible to make the grout spotless white, re grouting should be the alternative.
Pay particular attention to the sink, bathtub, shower, and toilet. If it appears that it will be impossible to completely remove all stains/discoloration from these items or if cracks are visible, including the shower floor, they will really need to be replaced. Oftentimes, for example, when examining the condition of your toilet, you may notice that only the toilet seat will be cracked. In that case the simple, inexpensive job of replacing the seat would be in order. However, even if the toilet itself will need replacing, most people can actually do it themselves, despite daunting first thoughts about the procedure. And as far as the bathtub is concerned, if replacing it is the only practical solution (due to cracks or discoloration, or just plain old age), try installing a modern whirlpool-style tub – it will add a nice touch of class to the entire room. As for the sink, if it looks like it has seen better days, is beyond restoring, and your budget allows for it, installing dual sinks – especially in the master bathroom – adds style, elegance and, practicality, and draws buyers like a magnet. In fact, many home shoppers expect this feature to be present.
Walls – If wallpaper covers them, it would behoove you to tear it off and apply a fresh coat of paint. This is another inexpensive and easy way to present the room in a bright, new-looking aura. Concentrate on light, neutral colors, though.
Shower curtains – If at all possible, they should be replaced with a sliding shower door – it’s not only more elegant-looking but more functional, as well. At the very least, replace old shower curtains with new ones.
Accent the room with large, fluffy towels folded and elegantly displayed, scented soaps and/or candles, and a few strategically-placed green plants.
Faucets and other plumbing fixtures (including pipes underneath the sink) should be modern-looking, gleaming, and trouble-free in their functionality.
Taking out the old-fashioned medicine chest altogether (if present) is strongly suggested.
Keep hidden any personal articles such as shower caps, kids’ toys, shampoos, hair brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.
Above all, make sure all surfaces (including windows and mirrors) are squeaky-clean, with no hint of toothpaste, soap scum or other residues visible. When the cleaning is done, the room should smell fresh, and appear light and airy. Avoid sprays which leave behind an overly-perfumed aroma.
It may seem like a large task on the surface, but the time spent converting your bathrooms into will be well worth it, and you should easily be able to recoup the money you’ve spent in remodeling and repairs.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ROOM
Don’t Neglect The Most Important Room When Prepping Your Home To Sell
Many Realtors agree that a spotless, tidy-looking kitchen with absolutely no signs of clutter is a huge drawing card for many home searchers. It is especially appealing to families who plan to spend a great deal of time cooking and dining in there home. The overall appearance of the kitchen, and the impression it confers to buyers, is of prime significance when buyers weigh the pros and cons of a potential residence.
Above all, many real estate insiders note, the importance the seller must place on eliminating clutter in the kitchen is paramount in conveying a sense of organization and more-than-ample storage space. You should give buyers the impression that there is plenty of room to store all of their things. In that regard, you should be expecting that buyers will open all of the drawers and cabinets during their visit. And, if they look cluttered and disorganized in any way, it will likely send an immediate negative message to them – even if they find everything else about the kitchen perfect.
In particular, try to focus on the following:
A thorough scrubbing of the entire kitchen will be in order. Don’t neglect the walls, refrigerator top, cabinet tops, and other hard to reach areas, as well as appliances – interior and exterior.
Initially remove everything from the drawers, cabinets, pantry/closet to give the interiors a good cleaning – pay special attention to removing any spots, stains, or odors.
Remove, and store away junk, personal items, and utensils from the drawers and cabinets, which you rarely or never use. For the drawers containing often-used utensils, organize them as neatly as possible.
Cabinets containing dishes, glasses, cups, etc. also should be organized neatly.
Remove (at least temporarily) any small appliances from the counter tops – this can create a sense of extra space in the buyer’s mind – a real turn-on.
The area underneath the sink is also vital. Besides being spick and span, any water spots, or signs of past water damage or leaks should be eliminated. If there is any structural damage – for example, rotted wood as a result of water damage – it should definitely be repaired first.
Air out the room (that goes for the entire house) shortly before potential buyers are scheduled to arrive, but close the windows immediately before they enter your home – this will provide the room with an aura of inviting freshness. Also, any curtains or blinds should be opened to allow the maximum amount of light into the room, but leave the artificial lights off -- natural lighting provides its own unique charm – something many buyers look for.
As for the walls – even if the best of cleanings won’t take off all those years of grease, grime, or Junior’s best imitation of Pablo Picasso, it would be wise to apply a coat of neutral-color paint.
Pets are a no-no – get rid of all signs of them, especially the odors Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to turn little “Fluffy” loose into the woods once and for all. Just make sure they won’t be inside the house when buyers are present. – after all, not everyone will be a fellow-pet lover.
No dishes should be visible in the sink, or anywhere else for that matter – clean or dirty. Also – don’t leave anything in the dishwasher – many buyers will open and inspect its interior.
Remember, for the cabinets and drawers with things remaining inside, less is better, so, if you must leave items inside them, do so very sparingly.
It may seem like a lot of tedious effort, but be aware that there have been more than a few instances when a home for sale was rejected based on Miss Jones or Mrs. Smith’s conclusion that there just wasn’t enough kitchen space or functionality.
SPACIOUS FEEL, SALES APPEAL
Sense of Spaciousness Enhances Home’s saleability
Be honest. Do you trip over or dodge at least a dozen things when negotiating your way from the bedroom to the refrigerator door? Has your garage, basement, or attic become cluttered to the point where even a dormouse would have a problem setting a foot down securely on the floor, let alone walking?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you definitely have some work to do as you make preparations to sell your home. Realtors strongly advise that home sellers should take the time to eliminate, or at the least, reduce your home’s clutter as much as possible before showing your home to potential home buyers.
And why is that, you may ask. Two significant reasons come to mind. According to real estate insiders, your home will project a feeling and look of spaciousness when clutter is eliminated. It gives the illusion that your home is quite a bit larger than it really is and buyers will like that.
Another reason is how a tidy, roomy-looking home appears to be cleaner and more inviting. Psychologically, perhaps, a cluttered home brings to mind feelings of disorganization, uncleanliness, and, to some degree, claustrophobia. In addition, it can put homeowners in a negative light – it makes it look as if they’ve been apathetic in taking care of their homes -- even if, in reality, they’ve acted very responsibly in the area of maintenance and repairs.
In order to create that spacious-feel ambiance, try following these tips:
Remove large and/or excessive pieces of furniture, statues or other stand-alone art pieces, especially from the living room.
Remaining furniture should be positioned as closely to walls as possible.
Make sure all counter tops, closets, cupboards, and pantries – especially in the kitchen -- appear clutter-free. Don’t forget dresser and chest drawers in the bedroom, as well.
Remove excessive items from bookcases, coffee tables, end tables, and shelves – remember, less is best.
Create an illusion of space by adjusting the lighting to eliminate shadows – shadows tend to break up a room into smaller entities
Rooms with darker colors can be made to appear larger just by painting the walls. Beige and pastel colors are particularly good to achieve this effect. Likewise, smooth textures tend to reflect light, further augmenting the desired effect.
Waxing hard-surface floors will also allow them to reflect more light.
Clever positioning of mirrors can yield an impression of extra space.
Clear out excessive items from the garage, attic, and basement.
Above all, make sure (for those of you with children) that Junior or Princess has picked up all of their toys and neatly stored them away, preferably in an inconspicuous closet corner. Better yet, if your little ones have accumulated a considerable number of toys – to the point where their room could be mistaken for a Toys-R-Us franchise, hiding them in a storage rental unit (during the home-showing period) would be a wise investment. This goes for the bulky-looking furniture and other excessive articles gathered from the rest of the home, as well.
Good news is – for the most part, reducing clutter and creating the illusion of more space is free – most likely the only expenses being the cost of a rental unit for a short time, paint, and maybe some floor wax. This sacrifice, however, is insignificant when you consider the benefits to be had. In fact, you may very well be amazed when your tidy, roomy-looking home fetches you a quick sale.
DEPERSONALIZE YOUR HOME
Depersonalize Your Home To Facilitate The Selling Process
Selling your home can be a very emotional experience, as many successful home sellers can testify. After, all, if you’ve lived in the same house for any length of time, your home becomes an extension of your identity. And this is usually reflected, in part, by the way you’ve decorated the place, and the manner in which you’ve arranged your mementos, photos, and other personal objects – each one with its own unique place.
So, needless to say, it is often an emotionally painful process when it comes time to pack up your possessions, knowing they will never again occupy those little personalized spaces in the house you’ve been calling home for some time.
Many Realtors agree that it benefits the sellers greatly by adapting an “unattached” attitude regarding their homes the moment they’ve made a firm decision to sell. Many real estate professionals highly recommend that sellers begin to hide away their personal things even before the real packing begins – actually, as soon as the house appears on the market, and Realtors begin showing it to potential buyers.
This is usually difficult for sellers, because it means they will have to detach themselves emotionally from their homes. Nonetheless, there’s little doubt, that it will maximize their homes’ market viability. Sellers will need to be able to step back and look at their dwellings objectively, just as potential buyers would.
Keep in mind that buyers need to be able to envision themselves living there as they walk through the house, while scrutinizing each room and weighing the home’s potential as a residence with a personality the new owner will create.
Thus, it would behoove home sellers to act on the following tips:
Adapt the right mental and emotional mindset while you go through the home-showing phase of the your real estate transaction. Realize that you will always carry with you the good memories acquired while living in your home. Likewise, believe that you’ll build lasting, cherished, and even better memories in your new home.
Pay particular attention to photographs attached to walls or displayed in frames – make sure you remove them before you start showing your home. It’s really hard for potential buyers to project their own personality onto the house when it’s so difficult to see past those ultra-personal kinds of items. The idea is for the buyer to think, “Wow, I can just imagine myself living here!” or “Gee, my vacation photos would look great on this wall!”
Remove books from any bookcases or shelves – these reflect your unique tastes and personality, not the buyer’s.
Pack up (or, at least hide) any family heirlooms or other highly-visible objects which shout, “Look, everyone, this is what I’m all about.”
CONTACT ME FOR A FREE REPORT ON HOW I CAN HELP YOU SEE YOUR HOME FAST AND FOR TOP DOLLAR!
I am always available to offer you personal one-on-one help. If you are searching for property, you can complete the Property Request form. If you are interested in selling your home, you can request a Market Analysis of your home or property.
As a way to strengthen our community, I give 5% of my commission to a Non-profit (LIKE YOUR CHURCH) of your choice. (Certain terms and conditions apply) I feel that we must always give back when we can. My web site is designed to be your complete real estate resource.
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Tony Neihoff
Realtor®
Town & Country Inc., Realtors
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| Address: | | 1944 Hwy 45 By-Pass
Suite 1
Jackson, TN 38305
Map & Directions
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| Direct: | | 731-298-1064 | | Office: | | 731-664-3453 | | Home Office: | | 731-668-1623 | | Fax: | | 731-668-7127 |
| Email: | | tneihoff@gmail.com
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Tony Neihoff |
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