Although the sudden sellers’ market in Boston real estate may be only temporary, the spring listing season is in full swing. While the process of getting your home buyer-ready can seem daunting , follow these “golden rules” when preparing your Roslindale, Jamaica Plain or West Roxbury home to sell, and you will likely experience a brief time on market and offers that make you very, very happy.
Curb appeal is the term we Realtors use to describe the drive-by or walk-by appeal of a home. The prettier the cover, the more likely it is you’ll want to open up the book. Touch up the paint on your front door, porch and stairs; if masonry’s involved, get that mason in pronto — this is an aesthetic as well as a safety issue. Make sure your yard and area immediately surrounding your home look clean and free of debris, both human-made and natural. I often pick up litter on the street in front of several houses near the one I’m marketing. Washing all windows will make sure that your property really shines, too. Roll out a fresh “Welcome” mat and give your Realtor (ideally, me!) a $100 budget to buy potted plants. Keep in mind that buyers have never seen your house before, and when we live in a property we seldom see its gradual decline.
Inside, cleaning, de-cluttering and de-personalizing is critical. We want prospective buyers to imagine their furniture, colors and decor so the palette they see must be pretty neutral. Take an impartial look, or do what I do, call in a good friend to evaluate everything you own. If you haven’t used something in over two years, chances are you are never going to so get rid of it. Start packing pictures, family portraits and artwork ahead of time. This paring-down will also free up your creativity do a little bit of staging and rearranging to maximize the potential of each room.
Polishing up your curb appeal and eliminating “stuff” are two major tasks to get your home ready for a quick and happy sale in the Boston real estate market. Even though it can be painful to follow these rules, the response you’ll get in terms of interest, price and, most importantly, a limited time on the market, will be well worth it. Trust the Realtor who is honest with you and is willing to work with you prior to “going live”. I often tell clients that a huge part of the value I add to a transaction is the behind-the-scenes work in which I am often involved for weeks — even months — before the public is invited to view a property I’m marketing.
Linda Burnett
Jamaica Plain/Roslindale Real Estate Maven
Keller-Williams Boston-Metro Real Estate
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