At some point during home ownership, you will need to prepare your home for listing on the market.   Not all sellers are able to pull off a full renovation of their home to get top dollar, but there are so many other small things you can do to improve curb appeal and attract a wide range of buyers. Below you will find some great ideas to help you sell your home in a quicker time frame and get top dollar for your property!

Curb Appeal:

One of the first impressions a potential buyer will get is the moment the pull up to your home. Is your yard over grown? Is your landscaping blocking the view of your home? Are there tree limbs sitting on your roof? These are just a few potential things that could give a buyer a bad first impression.

When preparing to list your home take the time to trim back any over grown landscaping, keep your yard mowed, make sure your roof is free of any debris, and maybe even lay some fresh mulch in your flower beds for that clean and fresh look without major costs. Pressure washing the home as well as the driveway is another easy and inexpensive way to freshen up your home and make it more inviting for potential buyers.

De-Clutter:

Start by making sure to remove any clutter throughout the home, as this will make it appear much larger and more inviting. It also helps to remove any large pieces of furniture that may be bulky and too large for the room they are in. The goal is to leave enough furniture and belongings so potential buyers can get an idea of how things look and fit in each room, without over crowding and make the space small and uninviting.

Its also a good idea to remove personal photos as well as any potentially offensive artwork, which helps “neutralize” the space enabling the potential buyers to envision it as their own with their personal touches.

You will want to make sure to organize and clean out any storage spaces or closets. Closets are very important to buyers, so you want them to be able to get a feel for the space and how their belonging will work within them.

Cleaning:

Another one of the most important things to do when preparing to sell is to clean your home! Take the time to really deep clean your home to include; inside/outside windows, floors, baseboards, bathrooms, kitchen, closets, etc.   Make sure to dust all blinds and ceiling fans as well! There is a great deal of value in making sure your property is very clean, as potential buyers will feel that the home has been well taken care of. Ensuring your property smells good is also very important. If you have pets, you may consider deodorizing your home and lighting candles for the showings. Some real estate agents also bake cookies during open houses; who doesn’t like the smell of fresh baked cookies?

Paint:

While some buyers can look past eclectic paint choices, this is also a very important aspect of selling your home that should not be overlooked. If the budget allows, repainting your home with neutral colors prior to listing is a great idea, and will really open up the potential buyer pool. At the very minimum, you should patch any holes that may be present and touch up any scuffmarks or scratches on the walls. Fresh paint also does a great job of minimizing the odors that may penetrate walls over time do to smoking or pets.

Home Inspection:

Another often over looked thing you can do prior to listing the home would be to have your own independent home inspection. Having a home inspection will help bring to light any hidden issues that may be present at the property that you are unaware of. Knowing about these issues prior to listing your property will help you decide if you want to fix the issues, or sell the home as is. Its much better to know about them ahead of time, instead of finding out once you already have a buyer and potentially losing the contract due to the issues.

While there is so much more that can be done to prepare your property for listing, these main areas are the most easy and cost effective things you can do to instantly improve the appeal of your home. Of course every home is different, and some homes may need major repairs or may need to be sold as is in a cash deal. Choosing the right real estate agent to help you navigate the process is one of the most important decisions you can make when selling your home.

If you would like more information about selling your home quickly and getting top dollar, contact Pineywoods Realty at 888.502.3210 or email is at info@pineywoodsrealty.com.  Our team has a wide range of industry knowledge and a successful track record of helping clients buy and sell Real Estate across the Tampa Bay area.

Over the last few years Seminole Heights has seen a revitalization in the area fueled by real estate investors rehabbing old bungalow homes and property managers looking to purchase rental properties.  The area has also been reinventing itself as a destination for foodies with restaurants such as Fodder & Shine and The Olde Heights Bistro.  Local farmer markets and craft breweries add to the young and vibrant community.

While the Seminole heights area has gained popularity, an influx in new construction homes have begun to pop-up in the Seminole Heights market. With 5 newly built homes being sold in the last six months, 7 new construction homes pending sale, and 12 newly built homes currently on the market it’s clear that new construction is becoming a large part of the area’s market.  The price ranges of homes sold have been between $280,000-$395,000 or between $172-$209 per sq ft.

If you are looking to purchase a new home in Seminole Heights please  Pineywoods Realty to schedule a showing today!  We can be reached at 813.225.1890, or visit us at www.pineywoodsrealtyfl.com.

The boat docks that were part of the original plans and budget for the new Water Works Park, just north of Downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough River, opened up on July 1st.  There are three slips for boaters who want to come and enjoy either the park or dinner at Ulele by sea rather than by land, and there is a kayak launch just to the north for the those looking to put in at a great spot to start a river paddle.

In addition to these new docs at Water Works/Ulele, there are currently also public docks around Downtown at Curtis Hixon Park, The Tampa Bay History Museum, and the Convention Center/Sail Pavilion.  Also, Downtown St. Petersburg has plans to expand its public docks at the base of the Pier in the near future to accommodate the rising interest of boaters wanting to explore the downtown shops and restaurants.