Making the decision to sell your Cheshire home can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider in order to sell your home for your asking price, and it’s easy to be confused as to what to do and what not to do during this process. In order to guide Cheshire home sellers, I have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to make the selling process less stressful and more efficient in terms of time and money.

Do:

Make your home market-ready

It’s the details that count when you’re trying to sell your Cheshire home. Detach yourself emotionally and take down family photos and personal keepsakes, like your child’s drawings on the refrigerator. It’s hard for the potential buyer to picture the home as their own when someone else’s belongings are on display. Keep your home clutter-free, paint brightly colored walls a more neutral color, and keep curtains open to allow as much natural sunlight into your home as possible.

Be flexible when showing your home

Many prospective homebuyers looking to buy in Cheshire work during the day and can’t view your home until the evening. Extending your showing hours until 7:00pm or 8:00pm will allow working buyers the time to get to your home after the workday. Also, restricting showings to “appointment only” may deter prospective buyers who want to see a home last-minute. Consider leaving a lockbox on your front door to allow for showings when you aren’t available. The more buyers who see your home increases the chance of a quick sale.

Showcase your home’s best features

Sprucing up your house to be more buyer-friendly is inexpensive and highly beneficial when trying to sell your Cheshire home. First impressions are important, so making your front door area attractive will enhance your curb appeal. Once you get the buyer in the door, keep him interested by showing off sparkling bathrooms, windows, and kitchen appliances. In order to give the buyer an accurate idea of the square footage of each room, remove unnecessary pieces of furniture. Also important is to remove any odors by opening up windows and airing out your home before a showing.

Don’t:

Make any expensive renovations before trying to sell

Splurging on granite countertops will certainly make your home attractive to homebuyers, but you’ll find that the investment isn’t worth it when it comes to recovering your costs. Instead of spending money on expensive features you won’t be able to enjoy once you’re gone, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and keeping your home clean and classic will allow you to recoup more money in the end. If you have hardwood flooring under your carpet, ripping out the carpet and hiring someone to finish the hardwood is a much more economical way to impress prospective Cheshire homebuyers.

Wait until spring to put your home on the market 

While the housing market does warm up when the weather does, people buy homes every day of the year. To sell your Cheshire home in the colder months, keep your sidewalk and driveway clear of ice and snow. Hanging a decorative wreath on your front door and other subtle decorations will exude a homier feel. Inside, lighting your fireplace is a great way to showcase one of your home’s features while making prospective buyers feel at home.

Set your selling price too high

Pricing your Cheshire home above or at market value will most likely result in necessary price reductions over time. Make your home attractive to prospective buyers right off the bat by pricing your home below market value. A home that has continuous price drops sends a signal to buyers that there is something wrong with your home.

I hope these tips help you when deciding to sell your Cheshire home. As a lifelong resident of the community, I have years of experience as a Cheshire Real Estate agent. If you are considering selling your home, I would be happy to help you through the process.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert
Cheshire Homes

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