Dear Home Sellers
Dear Home Sellers,
As potential buyers, we wanted to share some insights on what makes a home truly appealing to us. Many of us are first-time buyers, and it doesn't take much to make us nervous about a property. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
Focus on the Worst Room First
Identify the least appealing room in your house (often the basement, utility room, or laundry room) and make it as clean and inviting as possible
De-clutter, paint, organize, and don't forget to remove cobwebs
Focusing on improving the worst room is the most efficient way to increase the overall appeal of your home
Cleanliness is Key
We cannot stress this enough: clean, clean, clean!
Channel your most obsessively tidy friend and maintain that level of cleanliness until your house sells
A spotless home is one of the most important factors in attracting buyers, and it costs nothing but time and effort
Act "As If"
Imagine that the next buyer to walk through your door has narrowed their choice down to your house and one other
The cleanest, least cluttered, most move-in ready house will almost always win
Adopt an "all in" mindset and act as if you know your house will sell if you follow your Realtor's recommendations
This mindset will motivate you to go the extra mile with painting, updates, repairs, and decluttering
Be the Seller Who Goes Above and Beyond
Any repairs, updates, painting, and cleaning will have to be done by either you or the buyer
If you're not willing to put in this work, why should a buyer be expected to?
Remember, you're competing with other properties whose sellers are going the extra mile to impress buyers
Don't let your competition outshine you on the factors you can control
Assume All Buyers Are Savvy
Thanks to the availability of buyer agents (at no cost to the buyer), even if a buyer seems inexperienced, their agent likely isn't
Prepare your home with the assumption that you're selling to knowledgeable, discerning buyers
Every Detail Matters
Follow all the steps your Realtor recommends, because you never know which detail will sway a buyer
Agents often see buyers choose one property over another for seemingly irrational reasons
Maximize your chances by giving buyers every possible reason to fall in love with your home
The Care You Show Reflects the Care You've Taken
The level of care and attention evident in the visible parts of your home is a buyer's best indicator of how well you've maintained the less visible aspects
As buyers, we're about to make the largest investment of our lives; don't make us feel uneasy with loose knobs, scuffed walls, or other signs of neglect
We hope these insights help you understand our perspective and priorities as buyers. By focusing on cleanliness, repairs, and staging, you'll make your home infinitely more appealing to those of us searching for our dream home.
Sincerely, Your Potential Buyers
