If you’re planning on selling your home, a real estate agent visit could be coming up soon. When that happens, you’ll probably want to prepare your home as much as possible before they arrive. That way, you can make the most of their time and give them the best first impression possible. An agent visit can be a nerve-wracking experience for sellers because it requires them to let strangers into their home and offer an honest critique of how it looks from a buyer’s perspective. However, this is one of the most important steps in the process of selling your home. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your real estate agent visit so that you get the highest asking price for your house.
8 Ways to Prepare for Your Real Estate Agent Visit
Check for Repairs
If anything major is broken or worn out in the house, you’ll want to fix it before showing your home. Viewers will notice and be turned off by broken items, even if they aren’t directly related to the function of the house. For example, a broken fence or cracked driveway will make a potential buyer wonder if they will be responsible for paying to replace it. Similarly, a broken or faulty light fixture or ceiling fan will likely be a deal breaker for most people. You don’t want to lose potential sales over such a minor repair, so make sure to have it fixed before the agent visit. If something breaks during your agent visit, try to have it fixed as soon as possible. If you are unsure of who to use for repairs, your real estate agent likely has the best resources.
Declutter
The first thing a real estate agent will notice when walking into one of your home’s rooms is how cluttered it is. They’ll look for signs of clutter throughout the rest of the house, too. This is because clutter shows a lack of investment in the home and gives the impression that you don’t care about it. On the other hand, minimalistic homes tend to sell for more money than cluttered homes. You don’t have to go all out and hire a professional organizer. You can start by removing the items that don’t have a home. That includes doing a thorough spring cleaning, donating or selling any unwanted items, or simply moving items that have no place in the rooms they’re currently in. You can also consider installing shelving in your closets and cabinets to maximize space.
Add Furniture and Décor
Buyers will pay attention to whether your house has enough furniture to comfortably fit a family or a growing family. If it doesn’t, they may think that the house needs to be expanded. If it does, they will think that the house is too cluttered. To avoid both of these situations, you should have enough furniture for different types of activities, like eating and relaxing. Furthermore, make sure there are multiple seating arrangements for each room, like a sofa for two or a table for four. Each room should have at least one focal point, like a painting, sculpture, or large indoor plant. These items show that you care about your home and make it feel more like home. Your real estate agent is a good source for how to furnish a place.
Add Fresh Landscape
Even if your landscaping is relatively new, it will probably look old and shabby when compared to the landscaping of other houses on the market. Make sure that your landscaping is well-kept, manicured, and healthy. You could also add new landscaping to your property to make it stand out, like a new garden bed or a big, bold piece of outdoor furniture. If you don’t have enough outdoor space for a fully landscaped property, you can also enhance your outdoor space with furniture. A few well-placed outdoor chairs, tables, or loungers can go a long way toward making your outdoor space feel more like an outdoor room.
Freshen the Paint
A real estate agent may recommend you paint a home before putting it on the market, but it isn’t always necessary. However, you may want to at least touch up the areas that show the most wear and tear. First, find out what color paint is on your house and choose a new color that compliments it. Then, pay special attention to the ceilings and the walls and any other prominent areas that stand out. You can also upgrade your front door by painting it a bold, eye-catching color. Check out popular paint colors for 2023 here.
Lighten Up the Rooms
When you’re choosing paint colors, pick shades that are lighter than the current paint colors in your rooms. Darker colors make rooms look smaller and feel stuffier. They can also make the ceilings look lower than they actually are. On the other hand, lighter paint colors can make a room look bigger and brighter. They can also make the room feel more open. Your real estate agent might have the best ideas for popular colors. You can also consider installing light-colored flooring in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, and dining room to make them look bigger.
Add New Kitchen Appliances
This may not be possible if you’re selling your home in a seller-friendly neighborhood, but it can make a huge difference. Most buyers will judge your home based on the kitchen appliances you have. You may have a brand-new stainless steel fridge, but if it looks old, it’s going to make your kitchen look old, too. You can clean and update your appliances to make them look brand new. If you don’t want to replace them but simply want your appliances to look cleaner, sand and repaint them. You can make your appliances look even cleaner with new decals. Ask your real estate agent what they think should be a priority.
Show Off Your Home’s Best Features
You don’t want your home to look staged, but you do want it to look like a welcoming, beautiful place that someone would want to call home. You can do this by showcasing your home’s best features, like a gorgeous view, a large backyard, or a tasteful interior design. If you are unsure, ask your real estate agent their opinion on showing off the best parts of your home. You can start by hanging or mounting large pieces of art in the entryway or the largest room in your house. You can also consider switching out throw blankets on your couches, rearranging furniture to show off a room’s best features, and cleaning the house thoroughly.
Conclusion
A real estate agent visit is a very important part of the selling process. It’s the first time a potential buyer will walk through your home and evaluate its condition, style, and functionality. To make the most of this visit, you’ll want to spend a few days cleaning and decluttering your home. You’ll also want to invest in some aesthetic improvements, like painting the walls and repainting the front door. Additionally, you can lighten up your rooms with lighter paint colors and clean up appliances to make them look brand new. Your real estate agent is a great source for what might be needed and where you can get help.
Need a Real Estate Agent? Vasquez RE Can Help
If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a happy and successful selling experience. But don’t forget, we have over 20 years of expertise and the resources to help you. Let our team be your team! Contact us today to talk to a real estate agent now.
Ana and Hector Vasquez are the founders of Vasquez Real Estate, pioneering a culture of excellence and service since 2001. Their collective expertise in real estate brokerage, sales, and management has empowered the team to guide home buyers and sellers across Contra Costa County, the Bay Area, Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Joaquin County. They’re dedicated to ensuring every client experiences confidence, joy, and unmatched support throughout their real estate journey. At Vasquez Real Estate, exceeding expectations through transparency, honesty, and unwavering integrity is their commitment to making your real estate transaction a remarkable milestone in your life.
