Getting Your Home Ready for a Summer Open House
This is a fantastic time to sell your home if you’ve been considering moving up or moving on. The demand from buyers remains strong, and most homes are going off the market just as quickly as they came on. There are several things you can do to get your home ready for sale, including staging and repairs, but when all the big-ticket items are taken care of, there may be a few small things to do in order to make sure potential buyers have the best experience and provide their best offers.
Remove All Personal Photos & Decor
Potential buyers should be able to visualize themselves in the home, and this can be harder if there are family photos or personal decor on display during the showing. This is also why stagers use mostly neutral furniture and decorations when preparing a property for listing.
Tidy Up the Furniture
If you live in a home with pets, kids, messy eaters, etc., it may be time to give the carpet a vacuum, as well as the sofa and comfy chair. Make sure all the cushion covers are clean, and throw pillows and blankets are neat and tidy in a basket or nicely displayed on the furniture. Remove any decor that has personal details on it.
Turn On The AC
Even in the Pacific Northwest, it can get pretty hot in the summer months. While it might be tempting to open all of the windows, consider opening the drapes to let in natural light, but running the AC to keep potential buyers comfortable and any flies or insects out of the home.
Remove Any Dead Landscaping or Garden Plants
Dead landscaping or an unmaintained garden make buyers think about work that has to be done, which takes away from the excitement of the showing. Having a flourishing front yard or backyard shows potential buyers that the hard work has already been done to make the exterior space look beautiful, and therefore makes them feel more confident about their offer.
Limit Seasonal Decor - Keep it Neutral
As mentioned before, it’s important for a buyer to be able to visualize themselves in a home, and this means keeping that visual year-round. While the occasional holiday motif can help buyers think about the memories they’ll make in the home, it’s important not to overwhelm them with themed decor, as it might not align with their style and take away from the visualization.
If You Have A Pool, Make Sure It’s Clean
This goes back to the point about not making potential buyers think about the work that has to be done. Let them see the beauty of your outdoor space and think about enjoying it, not cleaning it. Sweep up any dirt, powerwash the patio, and clear out the filter of any toys, leaves, or debris.
If you’re ready to start your home search, our team would love to assist you in making a custom strategy for a quick sale at the best possible price. Send us a note today, and let’s talk about your individual goals.