Are you leaving money behind?
Being a professional organizer and coach brings me into contact with many people who are selling their homes. While I am not a real estate agent, I have bought two homes, sold 2 homes, been a landlord, and I’ve helped countless family members and clients sell homes. So, I have a ton of personal and professional experience when it comes to leaving the closing with as much money as possible. And…, I’ve seen some rookie mistakes, which you do not need to repeat.
A Quick Story….
I knew a family looking to sell their house years ago before the housing bubble burst. The market was hot and houses were selling quickly. The location was great, the house had good bones as well as attractive updates. Still, it wasn’t selling.
Two disasters came together in a perfect storm to cause this house to sit on the market for months and the bubble burst before an offer came in. It cost the owners over $150,000. The first was an agent who thought the house was an easy sell, so she didn’t make an effort to market it. Plus. she didn’t advise the owners on how to best show the property. The second reason the house sat on the market with no offers was clutter.
Buyers would tour the house and not be able to see themselves in the space. There were too many personal items on display. Cabinets and closets looked crowded and overstuffed. If the owners couldn’t fit their stuff in the house, how were the buyers going to store their things? Buyers were confused and had doubts the house would work for them. Even the best agents can’t overcome the objections which clutter provides to buyers.
The house stayed listed for way too long, which appears as a warning sign to potential buyers. It makes them wonder why no one has scooped up this house. What’s wrong with it? When someone enters your home already wondering why they shouldn’t buy it, you’re going to have a hard time convincing them to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars it.
Once the family realized they were not getting any offers and the list price was dropping every week, they got serious about selling. They contracted new agents, who advised them to declutter immediately. Personal items got packed quickly and dated décor was removed. They had a week to get the rooms into shape before holding another open house at a further reduced list price.
They received an offer right after the open house. Decluttering was the key to getting this house sold. So how do you avoid all this drama and more importantly, make as much profit as possible when selling your home?
Extra, Extra….
The number one way you can sell your house for the max asking price and save money on moving costs is by decluttering. You probably thought I was going to say you need to renovate an outdated kitchen or bathroom, right? Nope, decluttering costs nothing, so it’s the best way to up the list price without additional investment.
Getting rid of clutter can deliver a 3% to 5% return on investment. If you’re selling a $500,000 property, decluttering could add as much as $25,000 to the list price. That’s incredible! Sometimes renovations may be needed, but getting your stuff out of every corner and off all of the surfaces allows buyers to see what they are buying.
When a house is disorganized & has piles of stuff, it creates the impression that bigger problems are lurking. That’s an impression no seller wants to give a buyer. Instead, a decluttered home gives the impression the house is spacious with plenty of storage. It makes a home appear more upscale. Buyers will see the strongest features of the space and imagine living there with all their belongings neatly stored away.
Decluttered homes sell faster, too, since they are appealing. Plus, decluttering what you won’t be taking with you is a major savings on moving costs. It will cut down the amount of supplies needed and the time it will take movers to transport everything. Getting rid of all the extra stuff in your home has so many benefits when preparing to sell and move.
More Solutions To Keep You Organized
Here’s another article to help you trim down to the things you absolutely want to keep and move:
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