Lately, I’ve had several homeowners ask if it’s a good time to sell. My first response is that with Pittsburgh’s very stable and affordable real estate market, almost any time is a good time to buy and/or sell. But, homeowners are wondering if the weather will affect the amount of money they will profit when I market, list and help to sell their home.
Fall and winter are still great times of the year to sell a home. Typically, there are not as many homes on the market for sale, so therefore there is less competition. With homebuyers able to qualify for decent interest rates, many clients are still looking to buy a home, regardless of the time of year. The hustle and bustle of the new school year has now calmed down and the holiday season is upon us.
When meeting with a homeowner in regards to listing their home, I share some tips that have proven successful for my clients when getting their home ready to sell. Here are a few of my staging “secrets:”
- Paint your front door an unexpected color: it sends a message that your home is well cared for. Regardless of color, paint the trim white to make it stand out.
- De-clutter and de-personalize: Of course you love your things, but you don’t want a prospective buyer focusing more on your collections, décor and photos than the rooms and space.
- Clean up the exterior/Curb Appeal: Make a good 1st impression so that a buyer is excited to see the inside of your home.
- Make your rooms look bigger: Less furniture and rearranging furniture can make a big difference in making your rooms look larger and more appealing. Big mirrors can also give the illusion of more space.
- Remove odors: A buyer evaluates your home not only with their eyes, but also their nose. I cannot tell you how many times, I’ve personally had buyers love the floor plan and neighborhood of a home for sale, but could not get past the overpowering smell of pets, smoke or mildew/moisture.
There are several other tips that I share with my clients when preparing their home for sale and discussing their comparative market analysis (CMA). These appointments are free and the time frame for each of my clients range from wanting to sell immediately to a year or two down the line. It is never too early to discuss your goals and any questions.