The warm weather heralds more than just the arrival of summer. In the real estate world, it ushers in the season of selling and buying. But before the agent pounds the “for sale” sign on the lawn, it’s worth taking some time to make sure the house shows in its best possible light. Three real estate experts offer their top suggestions and some general advice worth noting. The first hint has more to do with psychology than sales contracts.
“Detach emotionally and personally; that’s 50 percent of the process,” said Tonya M. Williams of Williams Realty & Consulting. “If you’re selling your home, you have to make it appealing to someone else, and that’s the hardest thing for a seller to remember. They somehow forget that they trying to leave this space, and they take comments personally.”
Not being defensive is key to addressing problems that buyers might point out. The bottom line, said Williams, is to get the house sold. Start by taking a clipboard and heading to the curb.
“Go through the house inside and out as though you were a buyer,” she suggests. “List the things that you would not accept in their present condition. As homeowners, we get used to how the house looks, but to sell it, it has to stand apart from the market and be memorable to buyers.”
Without spending a lot, sellers can whip a house into a show-ready state by following a few top tips from real estate experts.
Tonya M. Williams, Williams Realty & Consulting
The Buckhead-based Williams is a real estate agent, decorator and home stager who has been featured on TV shows such as Designed to Sell and Bang for Your Buck.
1. What’s important: Not everything is going to be just the way a buyer wants it; even new houses aren’t perfect. Separate what’s cosmetic and what’s code. If it takes an hour or less to fix, put it at the bottom of the list. If there’s a code or safety issue, put that at the top.
2. Paint! One of the best ways to make a change is to paint. Even if it looks fresh, the wall where the couch sits is a different color from walls that are exposed. Paint is the simplest, easiest and most economical way to change the character of a room. But stay with neutral colors, then accessorize with pillows or throws to accent.
3. Curb appeal: I have to get my clients over the threshold. If we come up the walkway and they see the gutters are full of leaves, the shrubbery isn’t pruned and the grass isn’t cut, buyers will turn around and say, “We don’t want to see this house.” If they don’t come through the front door, you can’t sell the house. Make sure the outdoor lights work. Wind up the garden hose. Pressure-wash the walkway, the driveway, decks, even the bricks.
4. Depersonalize: I’ve had clients who only remember a house by the beautiful family pictures. That might be flattering, but it’s not the focus you want. Minimize distractions. Clear off that fridge, and let the buyers remember the country French cabinets.
5. Rework the bathroom: Consider resurfacing that old tub; it’s an economical way to upgrade without spending a lot. Change out the faucets and hardware pulls with updated finishes, something timeless that won’t date the house.
Marc Takas, Keller Williams
Takas has been an Atlanta agent since 2004 who specializes in intown properties. He provides sellers with a checklist of to-do items before showing their house.
1. Clean! It’s got to be spotless – what I call “doctor’s office clean.”
2. Pack it away: Having too much stuff is a detriment. Here’s my rule of thumb: When you think you’ve gotten rid of as much stuff as you possible can, then you’re almost there. Keep walkways and traffic areas clear. If you have a shelf or table with a lot of stuff on it, put it away. Put things in storage, if you have to.
3. The first impression is crucial. When someone walks up to a home, it’s got to look good. Plant the most colorful little perennials you can get your hands on. Redo your mulch and pine straw; get rid of the weeds. Make it all look bright, tidy and welcoming. Pay attention to the front door: It should be solid and open easily – the locks have to work right. It not, buyers will wander through the house wondering what else is wrong.
4. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way, but keep in mind that the colors you choose can affect the sale.
5. Tackle the big repairs. If the house needs a new roof, put it on; you’ll maximize your value by doing it, especially if the roof is leaking and obviously needs replacing. If a house needs a lot of work, I usually suggest pricing it accordingly, but I find fewer and fewer buyers are willing to do basic remodeling. People want a house to be move-in ready. As for renovations, it depends on your market. If you’re in a high-end neighborhood, and you’re going to demand top-dollar, it’s got to be perfect.
Jaimi Thompson, President, Artisan Design Group
This San Diego-based group works closely with builders across the country to set up model homes. In Atlanta, Thompson’s ideas are found in homes by Ashton Woods.
1. Focus on the general aesthetic — clean lines, no clutter, nothing overdone. It has to be comfortable. A big part of that is the flow: furniture in the correct scale to the space, not too large or not too small. You don’t want the space to feel empty or so packed that the furniture doesn’t fit. Keep walkways clear so there’s space for people to move comfortably; if they can’t, they may they’ll feel the house is too small.
2. Update colors: Warm up a room with soft accent colors so it’s not bland. But it can’t be overwhelming, either. Right now, all shades of gray are popular. They can be warm or go as deep as charcoal. Use accents to show it off; contrasting shades of espresso or white are very big, and natural woods go very well with that.
3. Lighten up: Good lighting is very important. Adding recessed lighting makes sure areas are well-lit. Put in dimmers so depending on time of day, you can adjust the lighting.
4. In the kitchen: The cabinets need to be in good shape. Solid surface counters such as cork or granite still have higher perceived values. But whatever the surface is, it has to be something that balances with the flooring and the backsplash. In smaller kitchens, you can spruce things up with a backsplash of textured stones, mosaic tiles or a blend of stone or glass – something fun that will make that area pop and isn’t a big chore to do. If you have an island, add pendant lighting .
5. In the bath: Large showers are gaining more and more popularity, and frameless enclosures are very big. Update the lighting here, too. Framed mirrors are a nice touch. If you have a tile surround in your shower, you might take out one row to do an accent that won’t generate a lot of expense. Just remember to keep it neutral.
