IS YOUR HOME “DESIGNED TO SELL”?

There is a program on the HGTV cable channel that everyone should watch before putting their house on the market. It’s called “Designed to Sell” and the premise is this: A couple is about to sell their home. The program’s host brings in a Realtor to evaluate the home inside and out. The Realtor walks from room to room making brutally frank observations while the couple watches nervously on a nearby television. Next, a designer arrives to tell them what they need to do to get the house ready to sell. The cameras follow the couple and their helpers as they work like dogs. Finally, after a lot of hard work and an expenditure of $2,000, the home is transformed and presented at an open house, where prospective buyers talk enthusiastically about making offers.

The point of the show is that a relatively modest investment of $2,000, wisely spent, will pay off with a much larger sale price in the end.

If you watch the show a few times, you will learn to recognize some of the things to watch for when evaluating your own home. Does your home look like it was decorated in the 80’s or does it have a fresh, up-to-date look? Is it light and open? Is there a lot of wallpaper or are the walls light, neutral and freshly painted? How about the bathrooms -- are they updated and sparkling? Are the rooms cluttered with knick-knacks, toys, or too much furniture or are they uncluttered and roomy? Are the carpets neutral and in good condition or are there a variety of colors and textures throughout the house?

We could go on, but you get the idea.

Most people love their decorating, their knick-knacks, their photos, their “stuff”. What’s more, they get so accustomed to their surroundings that they don’t even see them anymore!. That’s why it’s so important to try to look at your home with a fresh eye. Or , better yet, have an impartial person (such as a Realtor) do it. You might love blue carpeting, or dark wood paneling, or flowered wallpaper. But, trust me, buyers don’t. Yes, you can offer carpeting allowances or even lower your asking price, but most buyers cannot see past a “dated” appearance. There is no substitute for that first impression of a light, clean, up-to-date home that is done in neutral colors.

The lesson is this: investing in the right improvements before you put your home on the market (not after it’s been listed for six months) will bring you a quicker sale and a lot more money!