10 Ways to Help Your Home Sell for More Money

When putting your home on the market, you want your home to stand out above the rest. Here are some tips and tricks I've found to be the most effective for selling a home quickly and for the most amount of money. Selling a home can be overwhelming, and this list can look daunting, but I will help out as much as I can and will walk you through the entire process.

1) Price it right. This is one of the most important factors when listing your home, and one of the reasons why having a real estate agent complete a home valuation is so important. A price that is too low could mean that you miss out on thousands of dollars and give away your house at a bargain. Price a house too high, and your home could sit on the market for longer and lose that “wow” factor that a house has when it first comes on the market. I do a considerable amount of research and analysis to determine a pricing strategy for each home I list, but ultimately the decision is in the hands of my sellers.

2) Declutter. The age-old cliché of “less is more” proves to be true when selling a house. A cluttered home can make your home feel smaller to buyers. Maximize your space by stowing away (or getting rid of) belongings. This will not only help your house feel more spacious, but also make the moving process much easier if you’ve already made your Goodwill runs before the house goes on the market. A home that is open and orderly tells buyers that it has been well-cared for. Get rid of anything that you haven’t used in a year. If an item has gone through all four seasons without being used, it’s likely you won’t need this item again.

3) Depersonalize. Displaying photos of your family on the walls may inadvertently turn buyers off, as it is more difficult to picture themselves living in a home. Your home should be inviting and somewhat of a blank slate—buyers shouldn’t feel like they are intruding, but instead should be able to imagine themselves living in the space.

4) Let in the light. Lots of natural light is an item on many buyers’ checklists. Open the curtains, clean the windows, replace burned out light bulbs, and trim overgrown bushes and trees. This will help give your home that “light and bright” feel and make your house appear bigger.

5) Repaint. Remember that one time your daughter convinced you it would be a good idea to paint her bedroom hot pink? Well, it may be time to break out the paint roller again and paint the rooms a neutral color, like gray or white. Buyers may be willing to pay more for a house if they know they don’t have to do a lot of work right off the bat.

6) Neutralize odors. I cannot tell you how many buyers walk into a house, then walk out within 60 seconds because they couldn’t stand the smell of the house. The biggest culprits of odors are fabrics, carpets, and walls. A fresh coat of paint or carpet shampoo or replacement may cost some money upfront, but it will likely pay for itself again and again at the time of closing.

7) Add homey touches. Adding a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers to your kitchen countertop, or lighting a scented candle can help set the mood before a showing. Again, you want buyers to feel welcome. As far as scents go, my personal favorites are Capri Blue Volcano, Nest Bamboo, and Archipelago Pomegranate. Though don’t overdo it on the fragrance, as an overpowering smell may give off the impression that you have something to hide. I recommend just one reed diffuser or candle in the entryway, living room, or kitchen.

8) Fix repairs, if possible. Buyers typically place an offer on a home, and then hire an inspector to list any and all issues with a home, at which point they can back out of the contract if they feel uneasy. Sellers can also see upfront any issues with the home and can fix these before the home goes on the market – a huge selling point for many buyers wanting a move-in ready home. So if you’re handy or know someone who is, feel free to tackle any project that can be done well.

9) Display a Home Brochure. Every listing needs to have a marketing brochure that buyers can view and take with them. After we take photos of your home, I will make a well-designed flyer and drop off a stack for your home. These should also be next to the For Sale sign outside. Most of the time people will take them out of curiosity but some buyers will use them to review your home before making a decision. Sometimes buyers look at a handful of homes, so keep your listing on top of their mind every time they see the brochure.

10) Create a “Why We Love This Home” List. It never hurts to have a brief list that buyers can see when they walk in. As your realtor, I’ll organize the list and print it off for presentation. Some of these items can be pretty obvious, such as a view, but make sure you put in some non-obvious items. These can be a short walk to the bus stop, how great the neighborhood HOA is, having a bird sanctuary in your backyard, or even the fact that you saw the Orca pod swimming in view a couple of weeks ago.