Sedruola "Sedie" Maruska, REALTOR®, ASP
 Exit First Choice Professional, Inc.
 Email Sedie
Phone:    978-273-5691
Office:     508-877-6500
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Preparing Your Home to Sell In Massachusetts

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Humans are visual creatures. Studies have been done showing how attractiveness translates to money. Nowhere is that more apparent than in selling your home. It is a proven fact, a house that looks well cared for will sell faster than one that doesn't, even if both are structurally equal.

A house that "shows well" will sell faster and for a higher price. Buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a house that has the appearance of being well cared for because they assume that if what they see is in good order, than what they can't see must be in good order as well.

As an Accredited Staging Professional as well as a real estate agent I can help your home "show" it's best so your buyers are more interested in making it their home. One of the hardest things to do is separate emotions from our homes once we decide to sell. However, once the decision has been made, I can help you dress, price and list your house so you get top dollar.

There are three main areas to consider when getting ready to put a house on the market:

How much should you spend?

Don't run out and spend a fortune on your home simply because you are putting it on the market. If you decide that now is the time to redo your roof, or completely overhaul your kitchen, you'll be disappointed to find you won't recoup your investment. Now is not the time to make huge updates. However, don't get caught in the trap of not spending anything because you don't want to put another penny in a home you're selling. As an Accredited Staging Professional I can help you find the areas in which you may improve for a lower cost, in order to get a much higher return on your investment. I can help you get to where a buyer can imagine themselves in your house, by setting the stage properly. That means spending some time and money making the cosmetic changes that are obviously needed. It's better to spend a few dollars up front, than to endure a price reduction.

Spending a few hundred dollars can increase your return exponentially. As Your Realtor and as an Accredited Staging Professional who is familiar with buyers' expectations, I can advise you on the specific areas you can make improvements.

Exterior / Curb Appeal

Even before a potential buyer comes to view the interior of your home, they have looked at the outside. They've probably seen it on the internet, or on a photo list of homes given to them by their agent or driven by to see it in person. Whatever the case, the first thing they'll see is the exterior of your home and that will either turn them away or invite them in. Curb appeal is important because it is the "first impression" a buyer has of the property and it takes a buyer about 60-seconds to determine if they want to go in. You want the first impression to be a good one. Here are a few ideas to help boost your home's curb appeal:

  • Maintain your lawn so it looks inviting, trim your hedges, weed and mulch your garden, prune your trees

  • All exterior paint should be checked for peeling, including garages, sheds, outbuildings, decks, and fences,

  • Check walkways, steps, driveways, sidewalks, foundation and walls for cracks or crumbling that need repair

  • Clean inspect and repair, if necessary, roof shingles, gutters, chimneys, siding and ironwork

  • Make sure all outside lights / doorbell and  screen doors are in good repair and in working order

  • Freshen your front door with a new coat of paint and new hardware if necessary

  • Add a few potted plants to the front of your home to make it more inviting

  • Arrange your patio furniture in an inviting and pleasing way

Interior Appeal

Now that you've gotten the buyer inside, you have about 30-seconds to help them make up their minds. You want a buyer to start visualizing themselves in the space from the moment they walk into the home. Therefore the more you can do to help with their fantasy, the better your chances for a sale. As your Accredited Staging Professional I will help you do the following:

  • De-clutter - the less stuff there is, the bigger the space will seem the better the buyer will visualize.

  • Neutralize colors - Not everyone is going to be a fan of your favorite colors and it may make it hard for a buyer to look at a room objectively. Repaint walls that need freshening, or a whole new paint color in order to keep the space as neutral as possible.

  • Dust everything - make sure all flat surfaces are dusted as necessary so the home is fresh and "new"

  • Clean and repair floors - if there are cracked tiles, repair them, if there is any loose flooring secure it and if the carpets are dirty, have them cleaned

  • Clean bathrooms and kitchens until they "shine" - make sure they are free of clutter and any unwanted items. You want these spaces to be especially bright and clean because they are big selling features

  • Freshen the smell in your home by limiting pets and garbage - keep garbage and pet hair and litters out of main rooms and make sure they are thoroughly cleaned to eliminate odors

  • Have your home inspected on your own before putting it on the market, the $200 - $300 spent will give you the opportunity to make any repairs you feel are necessary prior to selling, and will reduce the possibility of surprises when the buyer does their home inspection

  • Consider hiring a home stager - their services range from $150 for a consult to thousands of dollars for a full stage with rental furniture etc. However, a home stager goes beyond "decorating" to showcase your homes best features. As an Accredited Staging Professional I will consult with you on the benefits home staging

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