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When it comes to selling a home, top real estate agents from around the country all agree that buyers want their home to look as good as their Instagram feed. And creating these environments don't need to cost a fortune. Just a few simple adjustments can mean thousands of additional dollars to your bottom line.
1. " A clean, decluttered home that is staged to appeal to your target audience sells for an average of 6-10% more," said top Westside LA agent duo Hannah Delpointe Vollera and Melissa Miller, of LA Properties Team. It will also decrease the time your house sits on the market they shared.
2. A sense of order on shelving, in drawers and in closets is a detail that stands out to potential buyers. "Take the time to color coordinate and thin out your closets prior to any public viewing," suggests Lance Marrs, principal broker at Living Room Realty in Portland Oregon.
3. Changing cabinet knobs, fresh curtains and adding a square-shaped or glass bowl bathroom sink could increase the perceived value of one's home, shared Jay Morrison, CEO and founder of the Tulsa Real Estate Fund.
4. One small detail that Jim Augustine of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Plano, Texas suggests is to make sure the home is free of any odors. Replacing HVAC, furnace filters with special Allergen Plus Odor Reduction filters for as little as $50 and running the AC fan for a couple hours before a showing can do wonders.
5. "Create a blank slate," said top producing real estate agent with Golden Gate Sotheby's Logan Link. Simply removing the curtains from your windows will maximize the natural light in your home and triple your potential buyer base. The best part is that it's free.
6. “Nostalgia is a huge selling point," said Sean McConnell with Compass Real Estate in Seattle, Washington. "I had a seller get $90,000 over list price because we set up a game of Battleship. The house was old, the basement had wood paneling, but the buyer had three kids. As soon as she saw that game she screamed in delight. She loved the memories the house brought back to her. She wanted her kids to have the same childhood she had.” Make it an item that came from the era the house was built in, suggested McConnell.
7. Buyers prefer homes that look and smell fresh. "I tell sellers to dip a cloth in Pinesol and hide inside the closet by the front door," said Jill Schafer of Kentwood Realtor in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Clean Sponges make a world of difference in cleaning up scuffs on appliances and tubs. And placing a bowl of fruit (green or red apples last the longest) on the counter, island or table make the house feel fresh.
8. It's important not to forget the outside of your home is as important as the inside, suggested Bobby Montagne, the CEO of Walnut Street Finance. "It's the first impression potential buyers will have of your house," he said. Updating the mailbox, house numbers, door knocker or door handle can pack a big financial punch.
9. To get the appearance of a renovated bathroom without breaking the bank, re-surface. It cost approximately a third of doing an entire replacement, suggests Lucas Machado, president of House Heroes LLC.
10. Landscaping produces an ROI that exceeds a bathroom or kitchen remodel, says Cassy Aoyagi, a board member of the LA Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Taking it one step further, she says preserving the existing tree canopy is the most powerful money play. "Planting front yard and street trees will not only add value to your home but those of your neighbors as well," she shared.
