New Year, New Perspective

With the New Year upon us, opportunities are abound for us to look at our surroundings differently and with a fresh perspective. This is especially true when it comes to putting your home on the market. Here are some examples of ways to utilize a different mindset when approaching this often stressful and sometimes tricky process:

1. Take a look at your decor. A good place to start is with that collection of figurines/beanie babies/personal photos, etc, that you have lovingly displayed in the living room. It's probably time to start packing it up. Potential buyers can get distracted by too many personal belongings. You want buyers to envision their belongings in your home and not get distracted and waste time during a showing by giving commentary on your stuff!  Take a look around the house and try to depersonalize as much as possible.

2. Freshen up paint colors. While it's true that mauve was a very fashionable color in the 80's, it's just not the case anymore. In order to make your home appealing to a vast buyer pool, it's important to neutralize any outdated or loud paint colors.

3.Enhance architectural details. That pocket door that doesn't slide very well needs to be oiled. The molding with some paint cracks needs to be sanded and painted. Go around with a fine tooth comb and be sure to address all of the little imperfections that you've learned to live with over the years. Every house has them, but without attention, they can be a turn off to a potential buyer.

4. Think back to when you first bought the house.  Why did you buy it?  Was it the great neighborhood?  Was it the swimming pool in the back yard?  Now, ask yourself what you've come to love about the home over the years. Be sure to write those things down and provide them to your real estate agent. Your perspective both when you bought the home and now, are valuable tools that your agent can incorporate into the marketing material they will use to showcase your home.

5. Start thinking about your next home.  It's much easier to approach a home sale when you're focused on your move and your next destination. By depersonalizing the transaction, and focusing on the future, you'll be in a better position to negotiate with buyers and navigate the selling process. By detaching emotionally, you'll be able to ensure that the process goes more smoothly and takes less of a toll on you and your family.

By remembering these tips, you'll be able to approach a home sale in the new year from a renewed vantage point!  Remember that the details and special attributes of your home that you may take for granted after living in it for so long can sometimes be the best selling points.  Good Luck!