Rita’s Top 5 Focus Areas in ‘Buyer’s Eyes Consultations’

Are you a Listing Agent or a Homeowner ready to list your property for Sale? Then it's the perfect time to schedule a Buyer’s Eyes Consultation aka Pre-Listing consultation with Hanisch Designs. I’m here to guide you through every step to ensure your home is ready to impress potential buyers. During our detail-rich consultation, I spend up to 2 hours with homeowners, examining every nook and cranny, creating an action plan to make the home stand out in the competitive market.

Here are my top five recommendations to help you get started:

1. Complete Essential Repairs

Take care of those small repairs that have been piling up before you list your home. Things like cabinet doors that don’t close properly, dripping faucets, or cracks in bathroom tiles might seem minor to you but can be major red flags for buyers. Visible signs of wear and tear suggest that the home hasn’t been well-maintained, leading buyers to estimate repair costs and potentially lower their offers. By fixing these issues, you present a "turn-key" home that buyers will find more appealing and be willing to pay top dollar for.

2. Perform Affordable Updates

 Some of the most impactful and budget-friendly updates include fresh paint, new fixtures, and updated flooring. Paint colors can quickly become outdated, making spaces feel old and neglected. A fresh coat of paint in light, neutral tones can make a huge difference. Just be sure to choose a color that complements your floors, trim, and ceilings. Outdated lighting and plumbing fixtures can also date your home. Thankfully, there are many affordable and stylish options available that you can install yourself or hire someone to do at a reasonable cost. Lastly, old, dirty carpets can be a major turn-off as they can harvest bad odors. Replacing them or finding another solution can significantly improve your home’s overall appeal.

3. Spotless Surfaces Sell

There's no quicker way to deter potential buyers than with a dirty home. A pristine house signals to buyers that the property has been meticulously maintained. Ensure every inch of your home is spotless, from the ceiling fan blades and AC vents to the baseboards and grout. Considering the extensive list of tasks involved in preparing a home for sale, especially if it needs deep cleaning or is slightly outdated, I often recommend hiring professional cleaners to ensure every corner gleams. Clean and well-maintained homes hold significant appeal, often allowing buyers to overlook dated features in favor of a move-in-ready feel.

4. Clear The Clutter, Pare Down The ‘Stuff!

It's easy to accumulate a lot of belongings over the years, but de-cluttering and depersonalizing your home is crucial when preparing to sell. Pre-pack now! Remove 3/4 of personal photos and decor and at least 1/2 of clothes from closets to showcase ample storage space. Pack away out-of-season clothing and store them neatly, possibly in a rented pod. Donate any home goods, old toys, and other items you won’t be taking with you. Pack up personal items not used daily, including kitchen items, toiletries, and linens. This will help create a clean and organized space that allows buyers to envision themselves living there.

5. Optimize Your Furniture Layout

To ensure your home looks stunning in photos and impresses in person, you might need to reconsider the current layout of each space.

Two crucial factors to keep in mind when arranging your furniture are visual openness and maintaining clear walking paths. Visual openness means that when you enter a room, no furniture or decor obstructs the view of the rest of the space. Achieving this might involve rotating your living room setup so that the sofa is against a wall instead of in the center, or reorienting the bed in the Primary bedroom. Editing and pre-packing oversized furniture helps with clear walking paths, as they prevent the space from feeling cramped, making it appear larger and more inviting. These paths also allow potential buyers to easily navigate and access the entire area during showings and open houses.

Let's summarize! There’s no better time than now to start preparing your home for its best showing potential. By focusing on these key areas, you'll ensure it's in tip-top shape. For more personalized guidance, consider reaching out to schedule a Buyer’s Eyes Consultation. I’ll help you highlight your home’s key features, create universal buyer appeal, and provide a ‘Top 10 Impact List’ to prioritize your pre-listing efforts and maximize your home’s attractiveness.

-Rita Hanisch-Dunbar