Why does one house sell in a day and another on the same street stays on the market? The answer is often an intangible “feeling” that one house provides over the other.
That feeling is happiness. Happy houses sell faster even if they are not perfectly staged and pristine. The occupants have decorated their house with joy and incorporated elements that they love. The house feels authentic and welcoming. Unlike formulaic staging, happiness cannot be “staged.” It has to be accumulated over time in layers and often begins on the day the occupants moved in.
Often, homeowners decorate and improve their houses for “resale” value; not necessarily that the improvement pleases them. That is when the authenticity issues rise. Those who design and furnish their homes to their taste, incorporating personal and family treasures and art, remain authentic to themselves and their homes show it.
Whenever my husband and I bought a new house, I decorated for our taste. I boldly painted two walls in a two-story foyer in a gloss “shutter green.” At the time, beige was the color of choice. Every time we entered our foyer, we were thrilled with the color. Neighbors and family expressed concerns that nobody would buy the house with the colors. The reality was that when we decided to sell it, we received two full price offers almost immediately.
Clients often ask me to give them “permission” to improve their homes for resale value even though they may have just moved in. My response is categorically, “Will this improvement make you happy?”
We spend a lot of time in our houses. Our environment must please us and not a prospective buyer. Tastes and trends change quickly so best to design and enjoy the home for yourself and your family.
When the time to sell approaches, that is when condition and design must be evaluated. Below is a list of improvements to make to improve resale value:
- Replace carpets
- Declutter
- Clear closets
- Clean landscaping and mulch
- Seal driveway
- Have windows washed
- Replace/remove any worn or broken elements
- Paint, if walls show wear or if paint is dated
- Make sure that everything works properly
- Have the house professionally cleaned
Below are some things not to do in preparation for sale:
- Do not replace appliances
- Do not change kitchen or bath counter tops
- Do not remodel bathrooms or kitchen
- If the basement is not finished, do not finish it for resale
When we meet with potential sellers, we discuss what it will take to get the house sold. We suggest improvements and staging, if any. Our goal is to make your house sell well and quickly.
If you are considering a move, please contact Properties on the Potomac at 703-624-8333 to review your house and design a plan for making it irresistible.
Properties on the Potomac, Inc. 