NoVA Real Estate Expert Offers Tips For Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — The real estate market in Northern Virginia has been a good one for sellers this spring. But some homes may be taking longer to sell than others, despite the high buyer demand.

A local real estate expert noted there are crucial things sellers must do to get their homes ready, or else the homes could be on the market longer than the sellers were expecting.

“Even in a hot market, if your home isn’t appealing to buyers, you’re going to have a tough time getting it sold,” said Rob Traister, team leader for Traister Real Estate Experts and an Associate Broker with RE/MAX 100.

Traister provided Patch with some key things sellers should do to make their homes appealing for buyers and to give them the best chance of selling quickly.

Maximize Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, so it's important to make the exterior of the home look attractive in listing photos and when potential buyers first see the home in person. Trim the lawn, add some fresh plants or flowers, and mulch all the planting beds. Repair or replace any broken fencing or gates, and give the front door and house trim a fresh coat of paint. “It’s like going on a first date,” Traister told Patch. “You want to make your best impression the first time you meet.”

Make Repairs: Sellers sometimes ask if they can “just give a credit” toward making repairs. Traister said that even the appearance of a possible issue can deter potential buyers. “I’ve seen buyers walk away from a house that’s otherwise perfect because they saw an old water stain on a ceiling and thought there might be a roof leak,” he said. Any outstanding repairs should be taken care of before the home is listed. This includes fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken tiles, and repairing any damaged/stained walls or ceilings. A fresh coat of paint also makes a home pop in terms of appeal to buyers, he said.

Declutter and Depersonalize: One of the most important steps to get your home ready to sell is to declutter and depersonalize the home. This means removing personal items, such as family photos and other mementos, so potential buyers can better envision themselves in the space, according to Traister. Clear out unnecessary items and arrange furniture in a way that makes the home look spacious and inviting.

Deep Clean: A clean home is essential when selling, as it can make a huge difference in how buyers perceive the property. Clean everything, including floors, walls, windows, carpets and appliances. If there have been pets in the home, it may be advisable to replace carpets and paint the walls. “People get used to smells that they live with and so they don’t notice them anymore,” said Traister. “But buyers are often turned off if they walk into a home and immediately smell pet or cooking odors.”

Board Your Pets: Everyone loves their pets, but not everyone loves other peoples’ pets. Buyers can be turned off by pet odors and barking. Whenever possible, get your pets out of the home entirely during the first few days after it’s listed. Don’t let a smelly litter box be the thing that drives away a buyer who otherwise loves your home, according to Traister. “I was with buyers who were falling in love with this house in Burke,” he said. “We walked into the laundry room, and there was a cat hiding on the shelf above the washer and dryer. It yowled and ran out, scaring the buyers so badly they decided they didn’t like the house after all.”

Set the Right Price: Pricing your home correctly is crucial to getting it sold. “A home can be perfect in every other way, but if it’s overpriced, buyers won’t make an offer,” said Traister. “Even in this hot market, there are homes that have been active for 60 or 90 days — longer in some cases — because they are priced too high.” Traister explained that when a home has been active longer than average, buyers assume there is something wrong with it and don’t want to even see it. “They assume it’s still for sale because of some major problem,” he said. “The irony is that homes listed above market value tend to eventually sell for less than market value, if they sell at all,” he added. “Sellers usually hurt their bottom lines by listing too high.”

Make Showings Easy: If buyers can’t easily get into your home to see it, they aren’t likely to make an offer. For occupied homes, Traister recommended sellers plan to be out of the home entirely from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m for the first three to five days after it goes active in the MLS. “Retailers try to be open when customers are most likely to shop, and the same thing applies for homes,” Traister said. “If your home isn’t available to be seen when buyers want to see it, you’re going to have a hard time selling.” When possible, Traister recommends that clients take a short trip when their homes go active. “Getting your home ready for market is a lot of work,” he said. “Taking a trip for a few days is a good way to decompress, and it ensures your home is fully available for showings at times that are most convenient for buyers.”

Contact Rob Traister at RE/MAX 100 to learn more about the local real estate market.

RELATED: Selling A Home? NoVA Realtor Explains Top Mistakes Home Sellers Make