Prepare to Sell
Preparing Your Home for Showings
As a Realtor, I know firsthand how important it is to make a great first impression when selling your home. Showings can be stressful, but with the right preparation and guidance, you can make your home stand out and appeal to potential buyers. Here are some tips on how to prepare your Harford County home for showings:
Clean & Declutter
Before your first showing, it’s important to give your home a thorough cleaning. This includes dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing all surfaces. You’ll also want to declutter by removing any personal items such as family photos, memorabilia, and excess furniture. This will help potential buyers envision themselves in the space and focus on the features of the home.
Make Repairs & Improvements
Take some time to walk through your home and make a list of any necessary repairs or improvements. This may include fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken light fixtures, or touching up paint. Small upgrades such as new cabinet hardware or updating your landscaping can also make a big impact.
Stage Your Home
Staging involves rearranging furniture and decor to showcase the best features of your home. This can be done by a professional stager or with guidance from your realtor. The goal is to make your home feel inviting and spacious while highlighting its unique characteristics.
Create Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it’s important to make a great first impression. Make sure your lawn is well-manicured, trim any overgrown bushes or trees, and add some colorful flowers or potted plants near the entrance. You may also want to power-wash the exterior of your home or touch up any paint.
Let in Natural Light
Natural light can make any space feel bright and airy. Make sure to open all blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible during showings. If a room doesn’t have much natural light, consider adding extra lamps or lighting fixtures to brighten things up.
Eliminate Odors
Unpleasant odors can be a major turn-off for potential buyers. Make sure to clean and deodorize your home thoroughly before showings. This includes taking out the trash, cleaning litter boxes, and airing out any musty areas. You may also want to consider using mild air fresheners or diffusers with pleasant scents.
Highlight Unique Features
Every home has unique features that make it stand out. Make sure to highlight these features during showings. This may include a cozy fireplace, a beautiful view, or custom-built-ins. Be sure to point out any recent upgrades or renovations as well.
Add Finishing Touches
Small finishing touches can make a big difference in how your home is perceived by potential buyers. This could include fresh flowers on the kitchen counter, a bowl of fruit on the dining room table, or a cozy throw blanket on the couch. These small touches can make your home feel more inviting and comfortable.
Be Flexible
It’s important to be flexible with showing times to accommodate potential buyers’ schedules. This may mean having to leave your home on short notice or being available and being away on weekends or evenings. Remember, the more showings you have, the more opportunities you have to sell your home quickly and for the best price.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to preparing your home for successful showings. As your real estate agent, I’m here to guide you every step of the way and ensure that your home appeals to potential buyers.
Great Marketing Sells Homes
My team offers a thorough digital marketing plan to help you sell your home seamlessly. Our strategy encompasses tailored social media videos and ads, engaging content marketing, open houses, and individualized 1-on-1 outreach.
Multiple Listing Service
Your home will be promptly listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – an online computer network available to its member brokers. This network catalogs homes for sale and includes photos and descriptions of all listed properties. To ensure the most favorable representation on the MLS, we will personally submit professional photos and the descriptive elements of your home.
On the Internet
All our property listings can be found both on our website and on all local websites that subscribe to the Multiple Listing Service. According to the National Association of Realtors, research shows that over 80% of home buyers begin their search for a new home online. Our website is equipped with advanced tools such as Active Maps and automatic email notifications that are sure to keep home buyers coming back for more.
Coming Soon and For Sale Signs
Once you sign up with us, our unique “For Sale” sign will be immediately placed on your property, alerting both passerby’s and neighbors that your house will soon be for sale. We can also kickstart the process of spreading the word about your home before showings by leveraging several electronic media tactics.
Open Houses
Our proven marketing strategy includes holding open houses on weekends. A well-advertised open house event is guaranteed to get your home noticed by countless potential buyers who are ready to visualize themselves living in your space. Trust us to create a buzz and bring in the most buyers possible for your property.
Marketing Flyers
Upon receiving your signed listing contract, we swiftly prepare and print a professional color flyer to showcase your property. We ensure flyers for all our listings are available at each open house we host.
Social Media Marketing
We leverage Google, Facebook, and Instagram to advertise your home, ensuring that thousands of people see it. Our approach involves emphasizing your home’s best features, which will get buyers engaged in a compelling way.
Video Marketing
We are active on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook Reels. Our videos are diverse and cover topics ranging from home property tours to home buyer and seller tips. Our focus remains on building a community of home buyers and sellers who share our love for the Harford and Cecil County areas.