Maximizing your value and minimizing your costs when preparing your home for sale.

As a homeowner preparing to sell your home, you’ll want to maximize your home’s value while minimizing your costs. To do so, you will need to focus on what I call the “Vital First 5”. Now before you jump to a conclusion, be aware the Vital First 5 is not the top 5 items a buyer looks for in a home. It’s the vital first 5 minutes as a buyer arrives at your home.

During the first 5 minutes the buyer will have assessed your home’s curb appeal and exterior condition, entered the front door, toured the kitchen and main living area, and taken a look at the backyard and any outdoor living spaces. At that point, the buyer will made the initial decision of whether your home is a fit for them or not. If it is a fit, your goal as a seller is to then just not un-sell the buyer when they see the rest of the house. A green shag rug in the basement needs to go. Defective items that suggest the home has not been well cared for need to be repaired. However an upstairs bathroom that may be dated but is otherwise clean and uncluttered is ok. If the carpet downstairs is a little worn but still in good shape and a neutral color, that’s ok too.        

So to maximize your home’s value and minimize your preparation costs, simply focus your time and money on those areas that a buyer sees during the Vital First 5 and on any area that is seen after the first 5 minutes that would be distracting and un-sell a buyer. If you need help assessing the key focus items for your home, contact an experienced Realtor, they will glad to offer you guidance.