Sandra Meranda

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Setting the Stage: Preparing Your Home To Sale

preparing your home to sell

When you’re ready to sell your home, you likely want to do it as quickly as possible and for top dollar. Most homebuyers make their purchase decisions quickly based on first impressions. To win over a prospective buyer, it’s important to think like a buyer, not a homeowner. Preparing your home to sell takes some time. Cleaning, decluttering, and repairing broken items are just a few essential things to do before putting your home on the market. 

Preparing Your Home To Sell 

Focus on Curb Appeal

First impressions matter. Attractive landscaping and inviting curb appeal help get prospective buyers into your home. You want people to feel warm, welcome, and safe as they approach your home. Sprucing up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers is an easy way to step up your curb appeal. Make your entryway welcoming by putting in a small table with a vase of fresh-cut flowers or a potted plant to greet buyers. A freshly painted front door is an inexpensive touch that will help make your home more appealing.

Complete Needed Repairs

Making necessary repairs can help increase the value of your home. If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you’ve likely learned to live with several problems. Now is the time to fix leaky faucets, chipped paint, flickering light fixtures, and any other details that could make your home less attractive to a buyer. Paint walls that need a fresh coat of paint and replace broken light fixtures or electrical outlets. If significant expenses like a new roof or furnace are required, you can either have them fixed or expect to reduce your asking price.

Depersonalize Your Home 

One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to depersonalize it. Pack up family photos, memorabilia collections, and other personal items. No matter how attractive your collections and family photos are, removing them is always best. You want prospective buyers to be able to envision living in the space and not be distracted by your personal items. Keeping your home neat and dust free will also be much easier when you have a showing or open house.

Clean and Declutter

An organized and clean home will give the impression that the house has been well-maintained. Clearing out the clutter will make your home look cleaner, and it will also feel bigger. When it comes to cleanliness, there’s no such thing as too clean. It’s difficult for buyers to see past a dirty, messy home. Thoroughly clean the kitchen, bathrooms, all toilets and sinks, light fixtures, ceiling fans, baseboards, windows inside and outside, and all appliances. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to deep clean your home before listing it for sale.

Clear Out Closets and Cabinets

Storage is something everyone wants. Buyers will look in your cabinets and closets to see how much storage space there is. Make your closets appear more spacious by removing at least half of your clothes and neatly organizing everything you keep. Pack up seasonal clothing and shoes to make your closets less crowded. Keeping all of your closets and cabinets neatly arranged and free of clutter is essential. 

Update Your Kitchen

The benefits of remodeling a kitchen are endless. A few minor kitchen upgrades offer a high likelihood of recouping your investment. A glossy, neutral paint coat can liven up a dated or dark kitchen. New cabinet hardware and backsplashes can update your kitchen without spending much money. If it’s within your budget, updating your kitchen appliances with quality, energy-efficient ones is also a great choice. And, of course, repair or replace any leaking or broken fixtures or faucets. 

Invest in Home Staging

Professional home stagers can arrange your furniture to showcase your floor plan and maximize the use of space. Professional home staging will also make your home’s online photos look their best. If you can’t afford a professional stager, you can still arrange each room to highlight your home’s best features. Pay attention to the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen. These three rooms matter the most to buyers, so staging them well is a small task that can make a significant difference. Staging your home is always most manageable after thoroughly cleaning and decluttering. 

Lighten Up 

A bright and cheery home makes a great impression. Good lighting is the one thing that everyone notices when they walk into a home. Some sellers take down heavy window drapes to allow more natural light inside. Make sure all of your windows are sparkling clean, inside and out. Change out dark lampshades for lighter ones and increase the wattage of light bulbs to make your home brighter and more inviting. If trees or shrubs are darkening your interiors, consider trimming them. 

Get Rid of Pet Odors

You might not notice pet odors in your home because you’re used to them, but buyers will. When planning an open house or having a showing scheduled, arrange for your pets to stay with family or friends. Remember to remove pet food, water bowls, litter boxes, crates, and beds. Pet fur, stains, and odors can be distracting and will repel many buyers. Make sure to clean up quickly after accidents to minimize odors and stains. 

Talk to a Real Estate Professional

Preparing your home to sell takes some time and work. It’s best to talk to a professional real estate agent. They’ll be able to assess your home and give you expert advice on the best ways to prepare before placing it on the market. Call Sandra Meranda at 314-691-1320 for a free market analysis of your home. 

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How to Update a Kitchen Before Selling

how to update a kitchen

The best way to get top dollar and sell your home quickly is to make updates that attract buyers. Many homeowners wonder how to update a kitchen without spending a fortune. It usually isn’t necessary to embark on a costly remodeling project. Minor improvements can often make the biggest difference. A few budget-friendly kitchen updates can make your home stand out and attract potential buyers.

Kitchen Updates Buyers Appreciate

Declutter and Clean

Cleaning and decluttering your entire home is essential. The quickest way to make your kitchen look more spacious is to remove unnecessary items and organize the rest. A thorough cleaning from top to bottom will also instantly improve the appearance of your kitchen. This step costs nothing but time and effort. 

Apply Fresh Paint

A new coat of paint is an inexpensive way to update any room. A fresh coat won’t take much time and will instantly brighten your kitchen. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, you can save labor costs by doing it yourself. Remember to prep surfaces correctly before painting. Choosing the right paint color is important. A stark white can feel sterile and uninviting. Light neutral colors, including light grays and creamy whites, are safe choices. Tan colors have a yellow tone and can make a space look dated.

Upgrade Cabinet Hardware

Switching out your kitchen hardware is a low-cost way to modernize your kitchen and give it an updated look. There are numerous hardware options available at various price points. Choose hardware with the same hole pattern to make switching out knobs and handles easy. To learn about different types of hardware, refer to Wayfair’s cabinet hardware guide.

Add a Kitchen Backsplash

A backsplash finishes a kitchen and can add a lot of style without spending much money. They also protect your walls from grease and food splatters. If you don’t currently have a backsplash, install one. Backsplash.com has an excellent online gallery to browse for ideas. Busier tiles might be trendy, but they won’t appeal to everybody. A simple backsplash design is probably the best choice.

Update the Sink and Faucet

The kitchen sink and faucet get a lot of use daily. If your sink is worn or cracked, replace it. The current trend is a farmhouse or under-mount sink. If the faucet leaks, have it repaired or replace it with a modern, more efficient model. If your sink or faucet needs to be replaced, it’s best to hire a professional plumber to handle the project.

Replace Dated Light Fixtures

You can add style and substance to any space with the proper lighting. A well-lit kitchen is vital for both safety and aesthetics. Add undercabinet lighting to brighten up work areas. Replace outdated lighting fixtures with more modern options. A simple modern pendant light won’t overpower the design of your kitchen. Remember to make sure every light bulb is working correctly.

Talk to a Real Estate Professional

A common question homeowners ask real estate agents is, “should I remodel or update my kitchen before listing?” There is no simple answer to that question. It depends on your home, the local market, and recently sold homes. If you don’t have the time or money to invest in a major renovation, a few simple upgrades may be all that is needed to make your home shine. You may even be able to update your kitchen on your own if you are an experienced DIYer. Remember, it’s always best to leave plumbing and electrical work to licensed professionals.

There are a lot of kitchen remodeling ideas that can add to the resale value of your home. However, most of them require big budgets. On the other hand, simple kitchen upgrades are practical and far more affordable. Before making any significant changes to your home, speaking with an experienced real estate professional is essential. They can evaluate your home’s condition and advise you before placing it on the market.

Call Sandra Meranda at 314-691-1320 for a free market analysis of your home. Her extensive knowledge of St. Charles and St. Louis Counties helps make selling or buying a home as stress-free as possible.

Contact Sandra

Cell: 314-691-1320
Office: 636-946-2020
Email Sandra

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate, St. Charles
2171 Bluestone Dr.
St. Charles, MO 63303

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