What Sellers Should Do To Entice Buyers

 March 30, 2015

Sellers who have lived in their homes for years find it difficult to detach themselves when selling. They look at their homes as possessions not commodities. However, the only way sellers can lure buyers is by thinking the way buyers think. Advise your clients to implement the following tips if they want to get a good profit when they sell their homes.

Clean Everything Thoroughly

The word “clean” means different things to different people. However, sellers listing their homes should clean them like professionals. Those who can afford to should hire professional cleaners. This is a great investment well worth the money. When a house is dirty and unkempt, it can be hard for buyers to become emotionally attached to it. In fact, buyers expect homes on sale to be cleaner than theirs. When they see a clean home, they conclude that it is well maintained.

Clean Up Behind Children and Pets

Selling a house is a stressful process but selling one with pets or young kids can be downright frustrating. Homeowners have to hunt for stray toys, remove hair and fur from furnishings, and ensure their pets and kids don’t run into buyers during showings. To draw in buyers and get great offers, sellers should remove signs of pets and children. They should present their homes as blank canvases buyers can fall in love with. Buyers want to envision themselves and their families living in the homes and if they don’t have kids or pets, it can be very difficult. Tell sellers to take their kids or pets to a neighbor’s or friend’s home during showings. Some potential buyers may be terrified of pets and decide not to make an offer because of a pet.

Stage Their Interiors and Exteriors

Most buyers have unrealistic expectations when shopping for homes. They dream of buying properties which look like they belong to the pages of posh interior design magazines. While many buyers don’t prioritize high-tech kitchens and over-the-top master bathrooms, they expect homes to be as pleasant as possible. One of the best ways to make homes look attractive is through staging. Advise sellers to use these tips to make their homes stand out from the rest:

  • Create curb appeal
  • Depersonalize interiors
  • Store personal items
  • Stage every nook and cranny
  • Enlarge rooms with neutral wall paint
  • Create furniture groupings
  • Add lighting
  • Define spaces clearly
  • Incorporate fresh features

Pay for a Home Inspection

A home inspection isn’t cheap but it can help sellers to avoid a lot of stress. When buyers pay for a home inspection and discover hidden problems, they can lower their bidding price or lose interest in the property altogether. Sellers should enlist the services of home inspectors before putting their homes on the market. This can help them to identify concealed problems and fix them before buyers come. When buyers pay for a home inspection, they have the upper hand. Buying a house is an emotional experience, particularly for first-time buyers. If a home inspector identifies major flaws, they might be put off even if the seller offers to fix them.

Home sellers looking to attract as many buyers as possible have their work cut out. However, they should not be demoralized by the scope of work. Advise your sellers to make a to-do list and focus on the important tasks first. To avoid burnout, they should work on one item at a time. Their homes will outshine others and they will most likely get buyers before their competitors do. When it comes to selling a home, the effort a seller puts in determines the offer they get.


Ronique Gibson

By Ronique Gibson

Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.