How to think like a buyer when getting your property ready to sell

The house is finally done after a whole lot of "blood, sweat and tears", and now it's time to get your wholesale flip "retail buyer ready". Real estate investors all have the same question at this point; how can I make my house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood? The answer is quite simple. Your home has to make a better first impression than your competition. Your potential buyer has to want to come inside from the moment they drive up to the house. So how do you do that?



Learn to think like a buyer!



Curb Appeal Is Everything!



Pay special attention to the landscaping and keep the grass cut and trimmed while your house is for sale. If you are selling during the summer months, extra watering may be needed to keep the lawn in tip top shape.



Give your yard a manicured look. It will really pay off to spend a few dollars to have the plants neatly trimmed, the planting beds weeded, and fresh mulch put down. A great touch is to put brightly colored flowers near the front of the house. You might even want to add a couple of pots of flowers at or near the front door well give it an extra touch. Be sure to pick plants that don't need daily watering.



All your windows should be sparkling clean on the exterior as well as the interior.



Take a good look at your front door. Does it need a fresh coat of paint or maybe just a good cleaning?



Spend a few dollars and replace your old mailbox, then add some attractive house numbers. These simple things will give your house a polished look.



Make sure your deck or patio in the back yard is neat and inviting. You want your buyers to be able to imagine entertaining or just relaxing in this space at the end of the day. A power washer can be rented for about $40-$50 dollars if heavy duty cleaning is needed. Go ahead and power-wash any siding on your house at the same time.



Store all garden equipment and trash containers out of sight.



Look at the interior of the house through "buyer's eyes"



Have a professional do a thorough house cleaning when the house is finished, paying special attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms. Remember these are the rooms that sell houses!



Make sure all floors have been cleaned and are in good condition. This also applies to any carpet that hasn't been replaced.



Give the house the "sniff test". Does it smell good?



Buyers don't want to have to paint before moving in, so be sure the house is painted in neutral colors. Painting the trim a crisp white makes the home look modern and inviting.



Home staging always pays big dividends! Consider doing some simple home staging so that prospective buyers can imagine what the home will look like with furniture in it.



Does the basement have a "musty" smell? Figure out what the problem is and correct it.



Does everything in the house function properly? Make sure all the light bulbs are working, and all of the cabinet handles and doorknobs are securely attached. Walk through the house and give it the same scrutiny that a buyer will, double checking the smallest details in the home.



Be sure to change your filters. If the furnace or AC filter hasn't been replaced during the rehab, clean or replace it.



Author: Sharon Vornholt



Sharon's Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com