GETTING YOUR HOME READY
If the Fix & Flip Folks Can Do It, maybe you can too. Here are some things flippers do to get the most return on their money.
People are making money fixing and flipping homes. Though there is no guarantees they will make money, there is enough proof that cleaning and staging a home can make a difference in the price it will sell for, and in some cases increases the chances of if it sells or not.
Here are some things you might consider doing before putting your home on the market:
- REMOVE ITEMS THAT MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK CLUTTERED – Take pictures with your cell phone of every room from four locations and see what items make it look messy. You will want to remove all unwanted items. I recommend you purchase water resistant plastic boxes with covers that you can store the items in close by in case you need them. You will want to store them in a closet, under a bed, or in the garage, so they don’t interfere with taking photos of your home, or showing.
- CLEAN WALLS AND CABINETS – It is easy to overlook blemishes or dirt in your home. Look at the pictures to see how they look. You may notice that a good scrub and cleaning are in order. Cleaning crews come with a bucket, sponges and brushes prepared. If you don’t already have a cleaning kit, put one together to go room to room and clean the areas that need cleaning. You may find the some walls need painting during this process.
- CLEAN FURNITURE – One great way to prepare your home is to clean your furniture. Any furniture that will be included when staging should be looked over for any stains, cracks, dirt or grime, and should be cleaned or replaced accordingly. Many cushions come with removable covers that can be washed. Check wooden furniture and wash the surfaces. Consider applying a fresh finish on any damaged furniture.
- REARRANGE - Move furniture that is causing spaces to feel small or cramped into another space when showing your house. The garage is a great space to store unneeded furniture, and some pieces can be moved to rooms that need more furniture. Getting a second opinion on rooms that you are used to seeing every day can make all the difference!
- PAINTING – Be it walls or furniture, a fresh coat of paint can be just what a house needs to help it be market-ready. Be sure to prepare the areas that are to be painted before applying paint, covering anything that could be damaged and preparing the surface itself for painting. Following a tutorial can be helpful when painting, and hiring a professional can give some assurance that things will be done well.
- FLOWERS & PLANTS - It only takes a little greenery to spruce up a space! Add plants to an area to brighten up a home before selling; you will be amazed at the difference it makes. Small trees can be used in corners, and flowers on tables. Be creative; if it makes you feel relaxed to see the placements of the plants, you have done well! Again, a second pair of eyes can help here.
- ACCENT CUSHIONS – Add some pillows to chairs, benches, beds and couches for an added feel of comfort! Be sure not to overdo it; Two or three cushions on a couch that complement the colors of the room can help tie things together. (Bonus points if you can find a throw blanket as well!)
- LIGHTING – Open up the curtains and raise the blinds! The lighting of a room can make all the difference in how a potential buyer feels when viewing it. If there is no access to natural light in a room make sure there are other good lighting options available. Add a lamp or change some lightbulbs when necessary.
- CANDLES OR SCENTS FOR AMBIENCE – A few candles can be a lovely addition when staging a house. Pick candles that are calming to look at and consider places like the dining room, bathing area, and living room for a few candles to go in. A note of caution with fragrance: some people are sensitive to scents - choose scents that are mild enough to not overwhelm anyone and are still enjoyable.
- PLACE SETTINGS ON THE KITCHEN TABLE – Staging a table can be as easy as clearing the space and adding a beautiful vase with flowers. Some tables look great with a mock-cheese platter or Charcuterie board, as well as a few glasses of wine.
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