If you’re like many people building a Rainey home, this isn’t the first time you’ve bought a house. You probably had a starter home at some point and worked your way up to realizing your dream. And chances are that you’re hoping to sell the most recent homestead before you make your move to one of our growing communities. It’s a balancing act, making sure you have a place to stay until the construction is done but selling soon enough to avoid two mortgages.
To that end, we’ve gathered a few tips to build your curb appeal and get that “SOLD!” sign in place:
• Rent a storage unit. This is the time to rid your house of all the items that make your closets look overstuffed and your kitchen cupboards unorganized. You’ll also want to store seasonal decorations and clothes, and the family pictures that tell prospective buyers that this place is yours, not theirs. The general rule is that you’ll store a third of your belongings. The pay-off? It’s much easier to properly stage each room with the clutter gone, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional stager. (If you rent a portable unit, it can always be transported to your Rainey home on moving day!)
• Invest in minor upgrades. What simple DIY renovations can you do that will raise the value of your home? While you wouldn’t want to invest fistfuls of dollars into a new kitchen, buying a matched set of small appliances can help you score points with prospects. Fresh hand-towels and a new shower curtain will do the same in the bathroom. Give rooms a face lift with a coat of light, neutral paint – it makes them look larger – and flood them with light by using higher-wattage bulbs and opening curtains to let in the sunshine. And, of course, clean, clean, clean … it really does make a big difference to folks when they see a neat and tidy home.
• Trim the front lawn. Now we’re getting to that curb appeal. If people don’t like what they see when they drive by, they probably won’t look inside. This is the time to power-wash the exterior and put a fresh coat of paint on the trim. If the season’s right, add a bit of color with a well-placed container of blooms at the front door. Pay special attention to the lawn, edging it, weeding the flower beds and trimming the bushes.
Finally, after securing a good real estate agent, do what you can to promote the sale yourself. Put the word out among your friends on social media. (Tip: Have some quality pictures taken that you can share, and use a wide-angle lens to get the full picture.)
Get the word out and get packed – your new Rainey home is waiting.