The ABCs of Getting a Mortgage Loan for First-Timers

Posted on: 21 March 2017

Even in a seller's market, getting your home sold quickly can sometimes prove more challenging than expected. To help your home stand out from the others on the market, you need to take extra care to prepare your home before listing it. Here are some small things you can do to improve your odds of selling your home in a reasonable amount of time.  

1. Clean your home. Even though you clean your home on a regular basis, it might not be open house ready. Everything, from your carpeting to the ceiling fans, need to be cleaned. Bring in professionals, such as a carpet cleaning service, when needed. 

2. Hide the special interests. You need buyers to be able to envision themselves living in your home. It is difficult for them to do this if you have political posters or stuffed animals everywhere. 

3. Get rid of the pest traps. One of the biggest mistakes you could make is leaving a mouse trap in your home while showing it. Even though it might not be true, homebuyers could be led to believe there is an infestation problem.  

4. Bring in the light. Light not only helps to make your home appear brighter, but it can help it appear larger. Ideally, you should open the window treatments and let the sunlight in, but you can also use artificial light to help brighten your rooms.  

5. Buy a doormat. A doormat might not seem like a big deal, but it can help to invite buyers into your home. It can also set a good first impression. The presence of the mat can imply to buyers that you love and care for your home.  

6. Dump out your closets. Closets can help sell homes. If your closets look small and cramped, buyers might be turned off. When dumping out your closets, only take out about half of the stuff and rearrange the remaining items. The closet will look roomy and spacious.  

7. Hide your pet's stuff. Buyers are sometimes reluctant to buy a home in which a pet lived. For some, they envision dirty floors and smelly rooms. To avoid this perception, ensure all of your pet's stuff is out of the home during tour times.  

Walk through your home with your real estate agent to learn other ways you can make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in your success.