There are dozens of things you can do to make your home more appealing to buyers. The only problem is, every other seller is reading the same tips, from cleaning the front yard to baking fresh bread.
But chances are, there are some unique features that make your house special. By identifying those special features, and finding creative ways to spotlight them, you can increase your home’s appeal.
What are your three favorite things about your home? Big kitchen? Huge stone fireplace in the family room? Basement storage area? Once you’ve identified your favorites, brainstorm ways to call attention to them.
The kitchen will look even bigger if counters are clear. Put away appliances you don’t use every day. Fresh curtains in an airy fabric will let in more light. Make sure all the bulbs in light fixtures are in working order. If you use a portable “island”, don’t leave it in the middle of the room—it will make the room look smaller.
The fireplace suggests cozy, warm evenings. Fluffy cushions, colorful afghans, and big candles can add to the motif. How about an old-fashioned popcorn popper? A pretty tray with a wine decanter and goblets or a basket with a few romantic paperbacks can add a bit of romance to the scenario.
Basement storage can be a real selling point—especially if you make it look easy and convenient. Neatly labeled boxes and totes, uncluttered walkways, and good lighting all help to spotlight this valuable feature.
Ask other family members for their favorite features—maybe they also lend themselves to the spotlight treatment. A bedroom window seat can be spotlighted as a cozy reading nook; add a tiny table with scented candles and bath goodies to turn an underused bathroom into a mini spa.
But what about negative features? You may have identified a few things you don’t like.
Is there an area in the yard where the dogs have dug up the grass? Move the dogs and plant more grass before you list the home for sale. Don’t be in too big a hurry to volunteer negative information to potential buyers—while there are laws requiring you to disclose some negatives, others are best left alone. While that 3rd bedroom may be too small for your hyperactive 9-year-old boy, it may be perfectly adequate for a quiet little girl.
The more “neutral” your home appears, the easier it is for a buyer to picture himself living there. Instead of selling “your” home, help the buyer find “his” home by spotlighting those features that make your home special.
