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Delaware experts explain how to identify and correct those little imperfections in your home before showing to prospective buyers.
In getting a home ready to sell, the best tool is a magnifying glass—as in a fresh set of eyes that can detect the imperfections homeowners may no longer see.
“What you live with every day is easy to overlook, but issues will jump out to a potential buyer who will see it for the first time,” says Carol Arnott-Robbins of Berkshire Hathaway in Greenville. “Your agent should be able to provide a punch list of tasks that will improve the appearance and increase the potential value of your home.”
Invite a discerning friend to walk the perimeter of your property with a critical eye for landscaping and hardscaping issues that may detract from the appearance. Do bushes need to be trimmed away from the home? Does the driveway need resurfacing? Are weeds sprouting between pavers or bricks? Don’t forget your mailbox.
If it’s leaning or in need of cleaning or painting, put that on your to-do list. Here are three tried-and-true steps to maximize your home’s appeal:
☑ REMOVE EXCESS ‘STUFF’
Your home should feel light and bright, and the best way to do this is to remove all clutter and pack it away, which may require renting a storage unit. Better yet, donate items you no longer need. Weed out closets to show off your storage. “And as proud as you may be of those hard-earned diplomas, put them away along with your family vacation photos so buyers can see themselves living in the home,” Arnott-Robbins says.
☑ FRESH AND NEUTRAL PAINT
Paint is one of the cheapest and fastest improvements to a property, an instant remedy to scuffs and dings. If you’re a DYI type and in a hurry, you can save time by painting the walls and ceilings the same white or pale neutral. No taping required.
☑ COME CLEAN
Make sure your home is ready to show at all times. That means the windows are sparkling. Bathrooms are scrubbed. The kitchen is immaculate, with no dishes in the sink or clutter on the counters. Make a great first impression with a front entry that is freshly swept and devoid of cobwebs. For an extra welcoming touch, hang a wreath and plant flowers in a pot or plot by the door.
Related: The Housing Market FAQs You Need to Know in Delaware
