Several months ago my husband and I began to talk about selling our house and moving into our “dream” home. It wasn’t really a new conversation. We’ve dreamed lots of times over the years, but this time we were really serious. With each trip to the grocery store, Mark would come home carrying more homes magazines than groceries, then we’d wait for our girls to go to bed so we could pour over the pages, searching for the home that was meant for us.
It was fun, sort of our new hobby, until my sweet husband jolted me into reality saying he’d found “the” house and he just knew I was going to love it. “Wait a minute now. Hold on”, I said.” We’re not close to being ready to sell this house, much less buy a new one. We’ve got to freshen the paint, repaper the kitchen, and replace the bedroom carpet… ” “What are you talking about”, he quipped. “There’s nothing wrong with our house. We bought it didn’t we.”
And so began an epic debate over which repairs would help sell the house and which were a waste of time. Both of us dug in our heels, refusing to budge and so our dream house slipped further and further away as our kitchen debate raged on.
Needless to say, when my editors came to me with a story idea on how to get your house ready to sell, I jumped at the chance and wasted no time in calling local realtors, asking for their expert opinions in what helped a house to sell verses getting stuck in the preverbal market quicksand.
Where the realtor advice in buying a home is “location, location, location” the plea to sellers is “clean, clean, clean.”
“When I list a house, I stress to the seller the importance of not just keeping things picked up, but of really studying their house like they’ve never seen it before,” says Crye-Leike realtor Nancy Clairmont-Johnson. “Buyers look at everything and they look at it with a critical eye. No one wants to think they are buying a house that hasn’t been taken care of.”
Linda Herrick, with Keller-Williams, agrees. “People are looking at your home and imagining it as their home. If there are noticeable signs of neglect they can easily see, they are going to begin to wonder what kinds of problems the house has that they can’t see.”
So where to begin? Both women say the “drive by,” otherwise known as curb appeal. When a potential buyer first pulls into your driveway, you want the initial impression to be strong. Having your lawn in good shape, including some nice shrubbery in your landscaping and making sure you have some seasonal flowers planted- even if they are in pots on the front porch- presents a clean and well manicured image to anyone approaching your front door.
Both Holcomb’s Garden Center and The Barn Nursery will help you with selecting plants that are appropriate for your yard, and will even help you design a garden free of charge.
“Sure, if you’ll bring us in a picture of your space and the measurements, we’ll be happy to help you,” says Tim Holcomb.” It’s real important, though, to study the space at different times of day so that you know what kind of light it gets. Do your homework a little before you come to us.”
Sarah Melton, Greenhouse Manager at The Barn Nursery, says their designers can help you with traditional garden landscaping, as well as designing pot arrangements.” If you’re selling your house, you might not want to make a large investment in plants that you won’t be able to enjoy yourself. You can create a beautiful garden feel with pots and then take them with you when you move.”
Still, she stresses, it’s a good idea to have some nice trees and shrubs in your yard. If you’re starting from scratch consider planting one or two mature accent plants along with a few smaller ones to give your space a nice balance. Both Melton and Holcomb say this is especially helpful along the walkway to your main entrance.
Which brings us to the front door...? It is the welcome center of your home and more than any other feature needs to be as inviting as it can possibly be. Says Clairmont-Johnson, “The front door is like looking into someone’s eyes. If it’s warm and welcoming, you can’t help but get a good feeling about what waits for you inside. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to replace your existing door, she stresses. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or new hardware can make a big difference.”
Once inside, it’s important for your house to feel “homey.” Keeping curtains pulled back to let in natural light, playing some soft background music, and placing pretty hand towels in the bathrooms make lasting impressions on potential buyers.
And don’t overlook the power of smell. Both realtors recommend having some type of inviting fragrance in your rooms, but keep it subtle. Some people have delicate noses and the last thing you want is for someone to get a headache from walking through your house. A fresh baked apple pie creates a welcoming feel, and Clairmont-Johnson recommends placing a drop of vanilla on light bulbs so that when a light is turned on the fragrance wafts out.
For Herrick, the key is to keep your house as open and simple as possible. “If you have a lot of furniture, store some of it- even if you have to rent a storage unit,” she says. “People need to be able to walk through your house easily, to see that the house flows well. Too much furniture just makes a house look cluttered.”
OK, so you’ve made your house smell good, painted the door and rearranged the furniture. But what are buyers looking for? What’s going to make them want to buy your house?
Without question, the kitchen is the most important room in the house for prospective buyers. It is, after all, the epicenter of all family life, so consider making improvements there first. If your kitchen is still sporting wallpaper from the 1980’s, get rid of it, no matter how much you like it. Both realtors say that today’s buyer is staying away from wallpaper and opting for paint. It’s easier to maintain and easier to clean.
You may also want to consider putting in new hardware on your sink and cabinet doors, which won’t cost you a lot of money, but will create a fresh and modern look. And make sure your baseboards are clean and freshly painted.
“For every dollar you spend in improvements on your house,” says Clairmont-Johnson, “you get two dollars back. And, believe me, the last thing any seller wants is for their house to sit on the market a long time because then people begin to wonder what’s wrong with it.”
Storage space is also a big selling point. Keep your closets as organized as you possibly can. Store seasonal and seldom worn clothes in boxes under the bed to free up space and make the closets appear more spacious.
And by all means, keep your garage clean! “As stereotypical as this may sound, the attic and garage are still the most important rooms for men,” says Herrick. “They want to be able to walk around and not trip over kids toys.” If you don’t have storage cabinets in your garage, consider buying one or two. They’re not expensive and can help you organize your tools, etc. You’ll benefit from it, and it might help you sell your house more quickly.
Both realtors also recommend purchasing a home warranty if you are selling an older home. Most warranties guarantee the heating and air system, hot water heater, electrical and other major features for one year. They cost about $450 and are a nice selling point if your home is more than 10 years old.
Of course, every seller hopes their house will sell quickly, but most houses in Chattanooga stay on the market for 4 months. That’s a long time to have to keep your house picked up and always ready for a possible buyer to walk through, and you may have to change a few of your habits. For example, don’t clutter your refrigerator with family pictures and drawings. Certainly, you can have a few personal touches, but keep it to a minimum. And clean the inside of your refrigerator at least once a week.
Clairmont-Johnson also urges sellers to stay away from cooking with garlic. “Believe me, I love it. But it can knock someone out the next day when they walk through your kitchen door.” She also recommends keeping the toilet lid down. It seems less intrusive for buyers walking into your bathroom.
If you have small children, you might want to put away some of their toys. Clear out the playroom a little bit, so that you’re not left having to clean and pick up day after day. And make sure you keep your yard in good shape. That can be tough during the upcoming summer months, but keep plants well watered and keep the weeds to a minimum.
Finally, consider having a home inspection before you place your house on the market. It will help you know what problem areas need to be addressed ahead of time and provide you a chance to fix some things before buyers walks through your door. Also, Herrick and Clairmont-Johnson recommend getting an appraisal on your house. Establishing the right asking price is critical to a quick sell. “Price will fix everything,” says Herrick. “If it’s priced right you should be able to get a buyer in six weeks. That’s your greatest window of opportunity.”
So, let’s do a quick review: make sure your house has excellent curb appeal; make sure your front door and entry is clean and inviting; consider kitchen improvements; when showing your house, have it look and smell homey; picked up, open and simple; keep your closets organized and the garage clean; accentuate your storage space; buy a home warranty; have your house inspected and appraised and then price it right. Now you are ready to sell!