How to Make Your Home for Sale Outbeat Your Competition

There was a time not long ago, your home would sell the same week that it was listed in the Jupiter real estate market.  But that was then and this is now.  Times are tough and many clients ask, “How do I make my home competitive in this real estate market?”  In this market, this is the time to present your home at its best.  Many of the properties in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and even Juno Beach are short sale or foreclosures.  That can be to your advantage.  Most of those homes are not kept up as well.  Here is where you have the opportunity to outshine your competitors.

There are a few basic things you need to do to make sure their home gets noticed first, gets viewed first, and sells first. These things are a combination of enhancing the home’s curb appeal and interior detail, plus a few thoughtful touches that make the viewing experience more enjoyable for prospective home buyers.

First, take a look a your home’s exterior. Now compare that to photos of other homes listed in your neighborhood.  Visually, which home is more appealing?  If it is not your home, you have some work to do. It’s hard to look at your home with a detached eye, but it is necessary. Set aside the years of good memories and try to “be the buyer,” note any small details that need fixing or a cosmetic touch up and get those done.

Next, turn your attention to the inside. Most homes are a bit to cluttered to show off the details of a home’s interior. This is not to say that a home is messy, it’s just “lived in.” Try to minimize the amount of furniture and “stuff” in your home. If necessary, remove some things and put them in storage. You are going to be moving soon anyway, why not get a head start on it? The more “open” your home feels, the better for showing. Remember to clean off all counters and clean the closets. Buyers are nosey and will open all the closets, cabinets and cupboards to ensure there is enough room for their things.

Lastly, make sure that your home is welcoming when people come to view it. Keep the temperature cool if it is one of your typical hot days in Florida. It will probably be necessary to clean the home daily to maintain its pristine condition. Also, little things like pleasant aromas can help people to feel more at home, cinnamon or chocolate chip cookies are very comforting smells. But if you utilize these, make sure there are some snacks available as viewers might get the munchies!