Life as a mom can be hectic. Sometimes it feels like there’s never enough time to get our tasks done. And if you’re trying to sell your home at the same time, finding a spare minute to get it ready for viewing seems almost impossible.
When putting your home up for sale, you want to get the best price possible. And to do that, it needs to not look like a kid-shaped bomb hit it several times.
But how do you find the time to get it looking buyer-friendly?
Thankfully, you don’t need to do as much as you think to get your home in shape for the market. And it can all be achieved on a tight schedule. It’s all about prioritizing.
Depersonalize
The first thing you need to think about when it comes to selling your home is depersonalizing. When potential buyers come into your home, they don’t want to be constantly reminded that it’s your home. It needs to be easy for them to visualize themselves in the house before they buy it.
A quick fix to help buyers visualize better is to remove some of your family heirlooms and/or artifacts or pictures from the walls. You can also think about changing paint colors on kid rooms to be more neutral, or reconfiguring the space to be more all-ages friendly.
Declutter
A good rule of thumb is to box up a third of your stuff and put it into storage. Not only does this help you in the packing process, but it helps your potential buyers see themselves in the house because they’re not overwhelmed by stuff the minute they walk in.
They need to be able to see the bones of your home.
Don’t forget to get rid of anything polarizing. People have strong feelings about religious and political topics, so remove anything that might get their heckles up. This helps to avoid viewers pre-judging and not buying based on opinions rather than the home.
Organize
Part of showing potential buyers around your home is to show off the potential it has. Closet and storage spaces are the areas that buyers are really interested in. They want to know how easy or difficult it will be for them to move in.
Organize your closet space by removing about half of your stuff. And neatly arrange what’s left. It’s a quick and easy fix to give the illusion that there is lots of space in the closet.
Do the Necessary Repairs
Putting a lot of money into your home to get it up to scratch for sale is unnecessary. And it costs money that you aren’t guaranteed to get back at the sale price. So when you’re getting ready to sell your home, just do minor repairs. For example, change burnt-out bulbs, fill in holes, and replace appliances. Leaving small repairs tells potential buyers that the home isn’t well cared for and could indicate bigger, underlying issues.
You can also apply a fresh coat of paint to liven up old looking spaces or do a little inspection on your roof. As far as gutters go, you can call for gutter guard installation, or do a few fixes depending on the condition. These simple fixes will make a big difference!
Refresh the Smell
Welcome buyers with beautiful scents (not the underlying smells of family pets). If you know you’re having a showing, have your animals with a friend or family member. You may be nose-blind when it comes to the smell of your pets, but house viewers haven’t. Invest in some candles and burn them a little before guests arrive.
Clean the Space
The simplest and quickest fix of them all… get to work! And don’t forget your carpets either. A quick carpet clean can completely transform your home for the better. If you’re too busy, don’t worry. You can always hire a professional. Spending a little bit on cleaning now means viewers see the beauty of our home easier.
And the sale will come through much quicker.
Conclusion
If you’re a busy mom trying to sell your home, all is not lost. There are plenty of quick fixes that’ll focus your buyer on the good things your house has to offer rather than the bad.
If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and you’re the one buying, the list above offers good advice on what to keep an eye out for. On the surface, a clean, well looked after home means it’s unlikely that anything major is happening underneath.
And don’t go unprepared. Have some questions ready, look into your finances by getting a mortgage quote beforehand, and know what you want. Buying and selling property doesn’t have to be a headache. (Not even for a busy mom).
Featured Image Credit: Brina Blum
Home » Blog » Lifestyle » Home Improvement »