How do you know what to do when you put your home on the market – it seems there is so much advice available out there, especially since the internet came along. We’ve talked about staging to smells to photos to curb appeal…and each of these items can have an impact on the sale of your home. Agent Judy Fernandez takes a look at the theory of less is more and how to apply it to the sale of your home. If you’re currently selling your home or ready to put your home on the market, think about how the buyer sees your home and apply some of this theory to your home so that you can get it sold fast and for top dollar.
I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase “less is more.” Well, when it comes to listing your property and showing it, it’s not much different. Having less in your home that is for sale can actually put more in your pocket sooner.
Less Clutter
When showing homes, one of the most common characteristics buyers are looking for is space. “Does my furniture fit here and there?,” is constantly on their mind, especially if they have family heirlooms or cultural items they have acquired over the years. Having a decluttered home can help those prospective home buyers have an idea of how much space you truly have available. Too many boxes or excess furniture and toys can make a room seem much smaller than what it truly is. Make it a point to remove as many items as possible and leave only the essentials to show the functionality of the room.
Less Landscape
Yes, we all love trees and green landscapes, while we can get them in this Texas heat. Yet, you’d be amazed at how many home buyers are immediately drawn away from a property because they have overgrown trees, plants, and bushes out front. Having overgrown plants that cover the windows, get in the way of walking paths, and inhibit natural light from entering a home are real downers to some home buyers. Plus, they get to thinking of how much maintenance a yard will require or how expensive it will be to maintain it. Go for simple greenery that future homebuyers might enjoy without having to put in all the extra hours outdoors in the Texas heat.
Less Scrapes and Stains
While unexplainable streaks of paints and stains might be amazing on an abstract painting, they aren’t so much on the walls or carpets of a property that is for sale. Buyers looking for a new home are usually looking for a clean slate that they can move right into without having to do much additional work beforehand. They already have their hands full with packing up, moving, and unpacking, so the last thing they want to do is spend more time and energy cleaning off scuff marks from walls or washing carpets and having to wait for them to dry. Not only does it require more money, but it sets them back from moving into their dream home. Help them (and yourself) out by touching up the walls and washing or spot treating the carpet.
Overall having less items that potential buyers are drawn away by will give your more money in your pocket sooner. Save yourself the extra time your house can be on the market because of small items that are easy to take care of and help stage your home. Having a clean decluttered home is more relaxing to walk through and easier for a buyer to picture themselves in it.
image courtesy of marfis75
Your “Less Landscape” point really caught my eye. The more described why the more I understood. I always thought people love plants and trees. I would agree that natural light in the home trumps trees out front.
We’ve had some listings that had incredible landscaping, but potential buyers didn’t want to buy the home, because they thought that the landscaping might need too much maintenance for their liking. Of course, we’ve seen the opposite too, where buyers thought the landscaping was lacking and wanted more. The best bet is to keep things simple, but make sure they look well maintained. Overgrown bushes, trees, or plants or landscaping that is overgrown with weeds make buyers think that the work is too much for them to keep up with, since it is not being done currently.
Thank you for your Reply Mr. Williams! I’ve worked with both kinds of buyers as well – those that love lots of greenery and landscape, and those that don’t. I strongly believe that landscape and curb appeal for any home owner is important, but too much can make them think twice. Sometimes clients have very busy lives or have strict budgets that they don’t have the time or money to spend on their landscape. When listing and selling, simple and easy to maintain lawns, trees, and bushes are always great assets. They provide the curb appeal without the distraction of future maintenance in the minds of prospective home buyers.