A Chill Is In the Air in Northern Virginia but Not for Long

Though the weather is still a bit nippy in Northern Virginia it won't be long before we begin to see the daffodils poking their heads up in the garden and the blooms on the Cherry Blossom trees. If you are a seller who is making a move this summer then it is not too early to begin to get your home ready to sell.

It can't be said often enough, especially in our current market where the inventory is high and the days on the market are long, your home has to be at its best the first day it goes on the market. From the second a potential buyer pulls up to your home they have to be enticed to come inside. Creating a positive first impression can make the difference between finding the right buyer and showing your home to many browsers.

One of the first things you need to do is step back and look at your home through buyer's eyes. Often as a homeowner it is difficult to notice the flaws in your own property. We all get used to living with the dripping faucet, the scuffed paint or the over loaded bookshelves. By looking as objectively as possible at your property, you can decide what improvements need to be made to attain the maximum impact. Sometimes the smallest improvements can make a significant difference in a potential buyer's perception of your home.

It doesn't cost a fortune to make your home buyer ready. Here are few things for you to consider.

Setting the Stage

The value of curb appeal is to get the buyers out of their car and up to your door. If your are selling this spring or summer then you need to make sure the yard is green and mowed, the bushes trimmed and colorful plants and flowers are on hand. Power washing your deck or sidewalks not only makes your home look nicer on the outside it also keeps potential buyers from tracking dirt inside as well. If you have a busy schedule then sometimes the cost of a quick clean up by a landscape crew pays for itself through a faster sale Make sure your door has a fresh coat of paint (if needed) and if your old mailbox has seen better days replace it.

Stepping in the Door

Alright you have done a good job and gotten the buyers out of their car and inside the door. Now what? The first to deal with is pets. If you have them you need to make sure that all evidence of them is out of sight. If you have a dog perhaps doggie day care is an option? If not then you need to make sure that they are contained in an area that you can keep clean and smelling fresh. With cats it can be harder to contain them but make sure you scoop the box every day.

Remove as many of the personal photos as you can, take half the books off the bookshelf, organize the kitchen cabinents and if you have a garage make sure you include it on the clean up list. Let buyers visualize their own belongings in the house. When you leave for the day turn on lights, even in the day time, makes your house appear more inviting, cheerful, and even spacious. A professional carpet cleaning can remove stains and odors that you may not notice but are immediately noticeable and often offensive to buyers who don't smoke or own pets.

Making Repairs

A quick coat of paint and other relatively affordable cosmetic upgrades might take years off a home's appearance. A light neutral paint color has the broadest appeal and may also make rooms look larger. You will need to consider whether undertaking significant repairs prior to putting your home on the market will generate the best return or will selling your home "As Is" at a lower price point going to be the best choice?

If you are thinking of putting your Northern Virginia market on the market this spring give me a call. Let's talk about your situation and how we can build a customized marketing plan to get your home SOLD.

For more information on selling your Northern Virginia home check out my series "If You List it They Will Come"

Getting Your Home Ready
Pricing Your Home to Sell
Marketing Your Home for All it's Worth

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

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