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Buying a home is an emotional decision and most buyers form an opinion of the property in the first 7-10 seconds. Sellers who want to maximize their proceeds should be open to “staging” their home to remove distractions and neutralize the property to appeal to the largest pool of buyers. Many Sellers will be able to do most of the work for minimal expense, but there will be man hours involved. Sellers who invested $500 on staging recovered over 343% of the cost when they sold their home, according to Homegain.com. Also, According to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), the average staging investment is between 1 and 3% of the home’s asking price, which generates a return of 8 to 10%.

Prior to marketing your property and beginning showings here are several tips to “staging a house to sell”:

1. Curb appeal is the buyer’s first impression of your home. For no money you can tidy up your yard by removing leafs, weeds, pruning shrubs, trimming trees and keeping the lawn manicured. For little money you can create a welcoming entrance with flowers, a freshly painted door and updating outdated light fixtures.
2. Kitchen is the heart of the home. For no money you can clear countertops, clean every surface in the kitchen including appliances and organizing the refrigerator and pantry. For little money you can paint tired cabinets – a neutral white or espresso brown with updated hardware currently appeal to the majority of buyers. If your appliances don’t match, it is likely going to be worthwhile to replace the mismatched look with consistent pieces – all stainless steel appliances or all white appliances for example.
3. Bathrooms are critiqued closely by buyers. For no money you can scour each bathroom, making them shine and nicely display a plush matching set of towels. For little money consider replacing the vanity and faucet, add molding around the mirror and replace old caulking around the tub to give the bathroom an updated look.
4. Neutral color pallets should be used throughout the home; there may be rooms that would benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Having difficulty selecting the right color, here are several of Sherwin Williams most popular colors: Sea Salt, Nimbus Gray, Agreeable Gray, Popular Gray and Revere Pewter.
5. Make sure floors are in good condition. If flooring is worn or stained it may be worthwhile to refinish or replace – consult with your REALTOR before investing in new flooring, the return will depend on market conditions and the property’s price point.
6. Pack up the clutter, remove distractions, possibly re-arrange or eliminate furnishings and artwork. Not sure on this, consult with a professional.
7. Clean. Clean. Clean. Declutter. Declutter. Declutter. Clean. Clean Clean. If you have the time and you enjoy cleaning then scour from top to bottom, most prefer to use a professional cleaning service right before the home goes on the market.

If you’re reading this because you’re selling, the purpose is to only take on projects that will yield a return on your investment. DO NOT invest in any renovations before speaking with your REALTOR. Some projects may be worthwhile but this will be property dependent.

Selling your home is an important task. Contact Jennifer Blake for a free evaluation of your home and to discuss the services she’ll include to maximize your profits. I’m here to understand your goals, provide professional service and deliver outstanding results.

Jennifer Blake, Denver Realtor® (303)842-2306

Are you interested in knowing what homes have sold in your neighborhood and for how much? Simply complete the form below and you will begin receiving a monthly report of the recent market activity in your neighborhood, including actively for sale, under contract and sold.

Once you’ve found your buyer, then you need to sell your property to the inspector. Following are tips to avoid common issues that arise during an inspection.

Inspection tips

• Confirm water, electrical and gas services are turned on (including pilot lights).
• Make sure your pets won’t hinder your home inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from the premises or secured outside.
• Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electrical service panels, water heater, attic and crawlspace.
• Replace burned-out light bulbs which may suggest an electrical problem.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
• Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
• Unlock any locked areas that your home inspector must access, such as the attic door or hatch, the electrical service panel, the door to the basement, and any exterior gates.
• Trim tree limbs so that they’re at least 10 feet away from the roof. Trim any shrubs that are too close to the house and can hide pests or hold moisture against the exterior
• Repair or replace any broken or missing items, such as doorknobs, locks or latches, windowpanes or screens, gutters or downspouts, or chimney caps.
• Fix any dripping faucets, clogged drains or plumbing leaks.
• Paint any exterior surfaces that are blistering or peeling, replace any rotted siding, trim, fascia.
• Ensure all downspouts are installed and lead water away from the homes foundation.

Consider offering a home warranty for your buyer. For a small investment, $399 for a gold plan, Blue Ribbon Home Warranty will provide you with a pre-inspection, allowing you to address items that could be a deal breaker before a buyer has their own inspection, provides the Seller with 9 months of coverage, and provides your buyer with a 14 month warranty from the time of closing.