Welcome to our wonderful community called Big Lake! Located just a few miles outside of Mount Vernon, this small waterfront village is an absolutely wonderful place to call home. And while unfortunately not everyone can stay here in Big Lake forever, we wish you the best wherever the road may take you. If you must sell your home on the lake, here is a short list of things to consider when trying to sell your home.
1. Have Great Curb/Lakeside Appeal!
You already have a great location being at Big Lake now to make your waterfront home shine and standout even more! Remember good first impressions set a tone. So make sure your lawn is frequently mowed (especially for those selling vacant lots), keep docks & decks pressure washed, remove all unnecessary clutter and do some light landscaping in order to make an absolute Great First Impression!
You must "stage" the outside of your waterfront home in order to get people inside.
2. Make your Home "Entertainment Ready"
Part of the appeal of owning a place on Big Lake is having a home that you can enjoy and share with family and friends. It's no mystery that the residents of Big Lake love to entertain; especially during our annual 3rdof July Fireworks display when our whole community gathers to celebrate our Independence Day. There's nothing quite like a summer BBQ with friends followed by a midnight smore roasting around your lakeside fire pit.
When getting your waterfront home ready to sell, there are several critical areas sellers should keep in mind. Two of these important places are your deck and your dock, as they are both considered essential areas of ones residence for summertime entertaining and living on the lake. Make any necessary repairs or upgrades to these areas; replace boards, freshen with paint and stain and of course make sure they are kept clear and unobstructed so that people many enjoy their use.
Other things to keep in mind are: servicing and/cleaning your hot tub if you have one and plan to leave it, cleaning and washing down any exterior patio furniture, keeping lake toys contained & not scattered throughout your yard and making sure your air conditioners are in good working condition if your home happens to feature one.
And of course Clean, Clean, Clean!
3. Enrich with a Fresh Coat of Paint 
A fresh coat of paint can definitely go a long way! And better yet, it's cheap! You don't have to stick with basic white (although that's perfectly fine) but do choose lighter, softer colors, or neutral earth tones. Avoid bright colors and too many accent walls in extreme colors; they might just be a turnoff to potential buyers. Also make sure to stay away from anything too dark. During the grey winter days in Big Lake, you definitely don't want to make the inside of your home look as dark and dreary as the outside might be.
4. Take Yourself out of the Equation
Try to "depersonalize" the inside of your home. By taking yourself out of the equation it allows perspective buyers who tour your home to envision their own families living there. You don't have to remove all hints that your family still lives there but do take down excess family photos, children's artwork, etc. Try to present those viewing your beautiful Big Lake home with a clean slate to look at, rather than taking them on a trip down memory lane.
Make sure to de-cramp and de-clutter; showcase the storage that your home has to offer. However, don't rush to remove everything. Sometimes a space or room that is too empty can look just as unappealing to a buyer. It's all about presenting a balance. If you're not sure what to leave and what to take town you can always ask your Realtor for help or consider hiring a professional stager.
5. Make sure your signs are visible! (Both Lakeside & Roadside)
Who might enjoy their own Big Lake waterfront home more than someone already out on the lake? Well that is precisely my point. The buyer of your home might very well already be out enjoying the water at Big Lake and come across your home as a perfect place to permanently dock their boat. During the summer months you can find many Big Lake boaters cruising around the lake. Whether they are just out socializing or viewing homes on the lake make sure to take advantage of the increased traffic and exposure of your home.
So just as it is important for your sign to be visible from the road, do make certain to put signs up on your dock as well!
Although, we will be sad to see you leave our community out at Big Lake you will forever be considered family. If you have any questions about additional ways to enhance your waterfront listing or would like us to give you an evaluation of your home on Big Lake please feel free to contact the Baird Team as we are happy to help you with all your real estate needs. And if you happen to be cruising around the lake this summer make sure to swing by, pull on up to our dock and say hello!
