The little things can make a big difference
The Boca Raton luxury real estate market is competitive with a number of beautiful homes vying for the attention of buyers. Every seller wishes for their home to sell at a healthy price and favorable terms. What can you do to make this wish a predictable reality? The best way to sell a luxury home involves careful planning and knowing how to professionally prepare the property so that buyers are eager to close the deal.
Whether it's a condo, house, or geodesic dome; at any price point, in all architectural styles from classic ranch to mediterranean to contemporary; in every single city or town, the rules of how best to prepare your home for sale are the same.
First Impressions
Avoid being the victim of a "drive by" (some buyers won't even get out of the call if the curb appeal is off). Make sure your landscaping, driveway and front of the house say “Welcome!” and not “Beware!” Details like a new welcome mat, a freshly painted door, a fresh wreath, or placing one or two flower pots on your front porch encourage prospective buyers to walk in and check out the rest of the house with a positive impression.
Declutter
Regarding furniture, only leave understated pieces that are not a distraction and don't create an unintended impression. For example, it would be difficult for a buyer to visualize their own antique furnishings in place of the existing zebra couch, bright yellow chair, and bear rug.
Pack up your personal photographs, heirlooms, tchotchkes, and other objects (in a buyer's mind: all of this is clutter) that will distract home buyers and hurt your chances for a sale. You want to present buyers with an impersonal, clean environment - like a plain vanilla wrapper - so they can imagine the home with their own photographs, furniture, and art objects.
Reduce everywhere you can: exces books from bookcases, cleaning products, personal grooming items, and clean nearly everything off of your kitchen and bathroom counters. Essential items that you use daily can be tucked away in small boxes that you can place in a closet when they're not in use. Consider this process an efficient start to your packing. If you do not plan to move it, you can discard or donate now, saving you time during the move.
Your goal is to have buyers asking, “Does anyone live here?”
Beyond Clean
Finally, make sure to neutralize all odors/fragrances. While candles may smell nice, they may signify to a buyer that you’re trying to cover up something or the buyer may not like the scent you find appealing.
This is a perfect time for that deep cleaning you’ve been thinking about…bleach the grout, scrub the tile, steam clean carpets, wash walls, etc.
Organize Bedroom Closets and Storage Cabinets
Buyers will be curious about storage space and will want to check closets and cabinets. It's important to ensure these are organized, as it sends a negative message if your storage spaces are cluttered with items falling out.
When a buyer sees everything organized down to the last detail, it shows that you take care of your possessions and likely took good care of the house. In kitchen cabinets, neatly stack dishes and turn the coffee cup handles so they're facing the same way. In closets, shirts should be buttoned and hung together, and shoes should be lined up neatly.
If it’s Broken, Fix it
Repairs to big ticket items like the roof, windows or door should be done before your house is on the market because the reduction in price will be beyond the cost to fix it yourself and will deter many buyers who do not want to take on a project.
Do sweat the small stuff - nothing should be loose or rattle. Doorknobs, cabinet pulls, weather stripping, electrical outlets, caulking, grout, replacing a cracked switchplate will be the best $1.79 you’re ever spent. When buyers see small things that are in disrepair, they often assume there are big things that were neglected too.
Let There be Light
Freshen up the paint with light colors, open the blinds and replace lights with higher wattage bulbs to give off the feeling of “light & bright” instead of “dark & dreary.” Removing visual blocks and allowing the open concept to shine will give buyers what they are looking for in the Boca Raton luxury real estate market.
This is the perfect time to swap out heavy drapery for light, crisp curtains or new blinds that are pristine. Make sure to look at cleaning the windows on the inside and outside too. Removing that layer of dust can really add to the shine.
The Final Step
Back inside your home, linger in the doorway of each room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer. Examine how the furniture is arranged and rearrange pieces until the room achieves visual appeal. Make sure window coverings hang evenly. Avoid the question of doom : What is this room? If you have a spare room, stage it to look like a home gym or an office.
