Carrie Thompson - HOME-SELLING SECRETS FROM A TOP AGENT

CHAPTER 10 Prep Your House for Sale

CASE STUDY #7

Six months on the market was too long for my client, so she asked me to take over the listing. After 81 days with me at the helm, she received an offer for 99.5% of her asking price. It’s pretty easy to understand why buyers want to see a home that’s well put together, right? But it’s more than just looking at nice furniture and perfectly fluffed pillows. Buyers decide if they’re interested in a home within 10 seconds of stepping in the front door. Here’s what you can do to ensure those 10 seconds lend themselves to curiosity rather than retreat:

STEP 1: DECLUTTER

I hate to break it to you, but you need to get about 50% of your things out of your house. You can toss it, donate it, sell it, or store it somewhere else—it doesn’t matter where it goes as long as it’s gone.

What, specifically, should you get rid of?

• anything personal, such as family photographs • excessive and oversized furniture • out-of-season clothing • trinkets • collections (think shelves filled with Beanie Babies)

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