7 Simple Steps to do Before Selling Your Orlando Home

Owning a home means that you are constantly doing maintenance as well as home improvements. There’s always something that needs to be repaired, replaced, or touched up. It’s lucky for us that these things happen at different times throughout the year, although sometimes it feels like everything happens at once.      Personally, I tend to procrastinate on the small things until there’s a whole bunch of little things that need my attention. These little things typically don’t get done until my wife decides to have people over the house. It seems that once I have a deadline for my to-do list, everything gets done on the same day.


When you’re selling your Orlando home, however, you should keep it in tip-top shape at all times, even the little things. Research has shown that you will not only get more money for your home but it will actually sell faster if you follow the steps that I’m about to outline for you below.  

1- Cleaning and De-cluttering: This is absolutely the most important thing you can do to improve the overall appearance of your home. As a matter of fact, if you can only do one thing on this list, this should be it. It’s hard for buyers to see themselves living in the home if it’s filled with wall-to-wall stuff everywhere. I would start by moving any large items into the garage that are making the house look smaller or just seem out of place or in the way. After the big stuff is gone, it’s time to clean like you’ve never cleaned before. I’m not talking about your routine cleaning, I mean deep cleaning everything including cabinets, walls, carpets, ceiling fans, fixtures, and whatever ever else can be cleaned.    Removing personal items like family portraits is also a good idea so that potential buyers can envision how their things will fit into a space. Also, you should lock up any guns, medicine, and valuables. Assume that every door and every drawer will be opened up by a stranger.    

2- Maximize Your Curb Appeal: That old saying ” never judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply when selling Orlando real estate. One saying that does come to mind however is “the perception is the reality”. That means that whatever people perceive to be real is actually real to them.   The front door should make a statement by looking sharp and freshly painted with a color that pops. Keep your lawn and shrubbery perfectly trimmed and plant a few colorful flowers near the entrance. You should also pressure wash the entire house if possible or at the very least, the front.    

3- Fix It If It’s Broken: Assume that a prospective buyer will notice every detail. Don’t leave anything to chance, fix that leaky faucet or cracked window. If buyers notice that little things are in disrepair, they will automatically assume that the regular home maintenance has been neglected. The last thing buyers want is to move into a home and then have to make a bunch of small repairs to it. You should also take into account that buyers will tend to overinflate the price of repairs which may cause them to put in a lower offer.

4- Fresh Paint: There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to give your home a facelift. The painting will give you by far the biggest bang for your buck. It’s relatively cheap and makes the biggest impact on the overall appearance of your home. Stick to neutral colors like white and off-white. This will give it a clean elegant look and can be easily painted over by the new buyers if they wish.    

5- Make It Smell Good: Sometimes real estate agents will bake fresh cookies during an open house so that when you walk through, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. You don’t have to go that far or you’d be baking cookies every time there’s a showing. You should, however, make sure that there aren’t any undesirable smells in the air like animal odors. Make sure that the house smells fresh and remove any evidence of pets like litter boxes, pet beds, etc if at all possible. It’s also a good idea to take the pets with you during showings. If that’s not an option, then I would suggest keeping them in the garage or a  crate during showings.

Cigarette smoke is also a big one. I’ve had clients not like a house solely because it smelled like cigarettes. If someone in the house is a smoker, I would highly recommend telling them to smoke away from the home from now on. Smoke tends to attach to curtains furniture and carpet. Unfortunately, getting smoke odors takes a lot more work, like having your carpets, furniture, and curtains shampooed. 

6- Windows: You don’t need to replace your windows unless they’re in bad shape. You should at least make sure that they are spotless inside and out. The same goes for the blinds and curtains. If they are in rough shape, consider replacing them or if you can’t afford it, just remove them together.

7- Lite Staging: This is an important one. I’m not saying that you should hire a professional stager to come in and re-furnish your whole house for the purpose of selling it. As an Orlando listing specialist, I also have experience in staging homes by using the existing furniture and other items in your house to make it look its best for potential buyers.

By following the steps outlined above, you will put yourself ahead of the game when it comes to getting your house sold fast for the highest amount possible.

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Orlando Realtor- Seller Series part 4

 

In this week’s edition of the 6-part “Orlando Realtor Seller Series” we over some tips for staging a home properly for maximum profit in the least amount of time without breaking the bank.

 

By properly staging a home before a showing, it can increase your net profit at the closing table. There are some rooms that are more important than others in the home staging process. It’s also important to spend whatever budget you have for staging on items that will give you the highest “return on investment” or [ROI].

 

Homeowners wanting to sell, shouldn’t start spending money on staging a home without first consulting with an Orlando Listing Specialist.

 

Following are some simple tips that you can implement right now.

 

The first thing you should do is clean and de-clutter the home. Move any furniture or personal items that can make the home look smaller into the garage or storage facility. Just this step alone can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the home and doesn’t cost much to get done.

 

To enhance the curb appeal of a home, the best thing to do is start with touching up the exterior paint if needed. Your paint color can be matched at any paint store so you shouldn’t need to buy much if you’re only touching up. The landscaping is also important for curb appeal. I’m not saying to spend thousands on new landscaping, usually, all it takes is keeping the lawn mowed and then trimming the trees and bushes. You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression so make it a good one!

landscape

 

Touching up the interior paint where needed is also a good idea before showing the property. In some rooms, you may even want to consider painting the entire room, especially if the paint looks worn or makes the room look dark and depressing. If the home is in need of an overall paint job, you may want to consider hiring a professional painter. New paint on a home always yields one of the highest returns on your investment when it comes to home improvement.

 

Adding some color with fresh flowers on showing days or a new welcome mat can also make the home look more appealing. These tips on enhancing a home’s appearance are low cost and easy to do.

 
By properly staging a home before showing it, not only will you increase your chances of selling it faster, but you’ll probably get more money at the closing table.

 

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Let in a Little Light: Five Decorating Tips for Staging Your Home

The Orlando housing market has rebounded, and people looking to sell their homes will find far more interest than only a few years ago. However, the process of finding a buyer who will pay a reasonable price is still challenging. Here are a few decorating tips for staging your home.

1. Less is More

When people visit your home, they’ll want to envision how their furniture will look in your home. By removing as much clutter as possible and storing extra furniture elsewhere, you can allow potential buyers to see how your home can be the home of their dreams. If needed, consider renting temporary storage facilities while your home is on the market.

2. Light, Light, and More Light

Some people prefer darker homes, but buyers are clearly attracted to lighter rooms. Light makes your home seem bright and cheerful, and it leaves a positive impression on visitors. It also makes your rooms seem larger and more versatile. While artificial lights can work well, natural lighting is best.

3. Paint as an Investment

Painting a room can be expensive, but painting your rooms can help them make a positive impression on visitors. Neutral paint is generally regarded as the best choice as it won’t turn away potential buyers. If your rooms are already cleared and ready to display, painting them won’t take long.

4. Rented Furniture

The right furniture can make a room truly shine, and it can give visitors ideas for how to decorate their new homes. Fortunately, you don’t have to buy new furniture to make your room stand out. Companies will rent furniture for a small fee, and choosing the right furniture can help you leave a positive impression. If you’re holding an open house, rented furniture can spur interest and lead to bids.

5. Talk with an Expert

Some people make a career out of staging rooms, and their experience can help you find the perfect design for your rooms. While any interior decorator can help, those who specialize in staging rooms know how to impress potential buyers. They may also know painters and furniture providers who provide discounts.

When it comes to selling a home, your home’s interior will have a major impact on how much interest you can generate and how many bids you’ll likely receive. By taking staging seriously and investing a bit in your rooms, you’ll be able to sell your home at a higher price.

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Selling Your House? Smarten Up The Exterior For The Best First Impressions!

As we all know, first impressions are everything. And this is never truer than when we are talking about houses. If you are planning to sell your house then the single most important thing that you can do to impress viewers is to smarten up the exterior. When a potential buyer visits to carry out a viewing, they will be immediately put in a favourable mood if they like what they see on the approach. Here are some great ideas for making the outside of your house win prospective purchasers:

Tidy Up the Driveway

Driveways often get a little scruffy with weeds growing through concrete or between paving slabs. Head out with a load of weed killer and blitz the unwelcome weeds. Then, tend to the flowers and plants that are meant to be there. Finish off by giving the whole area a good sweep, and then using a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the driveway. Putting a few pot plants along the driveway will help to add a splash of colour to the approach to your house.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

You’ll be amazed at the amount of difference a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of the property makes to the overall look. Old paint that is faded, stained or peeling off sends out all the wrong messages to a buyer, but a freshly painted house suggests that you take as much care with the inside of the house as you do the outside. It will also help set off the windows and doors, and generally bring the whole house together. If you’ve a head for heights then you can paint your house yourself quite easily, but if you’d rather leave it to the experts then call a professional painter and decorator in – it shouldn’t take them long, it won’t cost you much, but the difference will be massive. Your prospective buyers will head to the front door and wait there until you answer it. So, make sure the door is freshly painted so that it looks nice and smart (you might as well paint the window frames too while you’re at it!) and make sure that the doorbell works properly. You might even want to consider getting a new front door if yours is past its best.

Window Boxes

Window boxes are a beautiful addition to the front of any home – they add a splash of colour and make the whole place look far more homely. Choose plants that don’t grow too high otherwise you will risk obscuring the view from the windows. Plant up a window box for each front-facing window, and put it up using secure brackets that won’t weather or deteriorate. Choose a mixture of colours for added impact.

Smartening up the outside of your house is a great way to make sure that your potential buyers get the ‘wow factor when they come to see your house for the first time. Your next step is the small task of sorting the interior out!

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How Best To Show Off Your Home To Prospective Buyers: The Basics

staged home

When you’re looking to sell  your house, there are lots of things you should keep in mind about exactly how you should do so. While it’s important to remember that each house is unique and that what works for one property may  not necessarily work for another, there are nonetheless enough expert tips out there that apply to houses on a more general basis. So if you feel overwhelmed by where to begin, here are some ways to get started:

De-Clutter

De-cluttering your home isn’t just about ensuring books, DVDs, and magazines are all neatly put away – although that’s important too. De-cluttering your home for prospective buyers also involves putting away any sentimental trinkets or family pieces you might have on display. Have you got lots of cute knick-knacks or souvenirs from trips abroad? Are there trophies and artwork by the kids on display? For the moment, put them away. Create a blank canvas – allow visitors to envision what the place could look like over what it looks like currently. Your property may be defined by your family now, but it isn’t going to stay that way, so don’t showcase personal effects. This is especially important in bedrooms and bathrooms. De-cluttering also allows you to play up storage areas, which are a big selling point of any home.

Color

The colour of your walls and furnishings also feed into the depersonalising of a space. If the kids’ rooms are painted in their favourite bright colours, it’s worth painting over them in warm, neutral hues instead. Bear in mind that ‘neutral’ doesn’t have to look boring – off-white and beige are all very well, but you can opt for warm yellows or lighter greens and blues too. Honey-coloured walls make for a nice contrast against dark furnishings and make a space feel cosy without diminishing its size. A useful trick to make a room appear bigger is to paint it the same colour as the room adjacent to it.

Lighting

If your house gets lots of natural lighting, play it up. Equally important, though, is the regulation of said lighting through pretty, effective curtains or shutters. Quality window dressing makes a big difference to a room – it has the effect of making the space look more tailored, chic and upscale. For example, if you’ve got a conservatory, or a conservatory-style extension to your house, investing in some nice blinds won’t just improve the look of the room, it’ll keep the sun from shining in your visitors’ eyes as they look around. Your artificial lighting is also vital – it should consist of proper ambient (general or overhead), task (pendant, under-cabinet, or reading), and accent (table and all) lighting for thoroughness.

Scent

Looking through a house isn’t just about the way things, well, look. It’s a sensory experience that can be subtly enhanced in a number of ways. If it’s a warm day, open the windows and let lots of fresh air in. Don’t overuse artificial air fresheners, but at least make sure that rooms smell clean. Place a big bowl of fruit in the kitchen or on the living room table. For an extra homey touch, put some cookies in the oven to bake just before visitors arrive – the smell will fill the house.

External Area

The interior of your property isn’t the only part of your property. Even if you’re not an avid gardener, take the time to ensure your lawn is at least neat. If you’ve got a garden shed, make sure everything’s locked away inside and there are no gardening tools just lying around. Play up the surrounding area as well – is there a train station or bus stop nearby? Or a good grocery store or a great play park for kids? Don’t forget to make mention of those things.

Just get started with these tricks and your home will be looking more show-ready in no time. Have you ever had to stage your home? What methods did you use? Share your advice in the comments!

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