Home sellers do best when they take the time to improve their home for a new real estate listing. We declutter throughout the house, remove items from the kitchen counters, clean thoroughly, and stage bedroom, baths and family areas as best they can. All of that is great but I see time and time again that they forget these five home features that can really appeal to buyers of all ages.
The Laundry Room
If you are fortunate to have an actual laundry *room* in your home, we want to make sure that is highlighted and noticed by buyers touring through. Consider adding shelving or cabinetry for storage and organization. Remove detergents from on top of the appliances so buyers know there’s a place for them. Also, any laundry baskets or dirty clothes hampers can be removed. This makes the room feel even larger. Finally, be sure to clean the floor around and under your washer and dryer–it is amazing to me how often that crucial laundry room improvement is missed.
Ceiling Fans
You know as well as I do that Naples, Florida can be *hot*! Highlight the fact that you have them by making sure ceiling fans are set to low as buyers tour the home. Furthermore, if you haven’t dusted them in a few years, be sure to do that too!
Walk-in Pantries
You might not realize how important a large pantry is to a buyer but I hear it often. There are a few steps to make sure your pantry really does a great job of selling the home.
- Declutter fully! You do not need 4 boxes of taco shells! By donating as much as you can, you’ll free up shelf space and make the pantry look bigger than it is. When a pantry is packed, buyers will subconsciously think that there isn’t enough room for their items.
- Organize! Now that we have donated the 6 cans of chicken noodle from last year’s flu season, it’s time to get like-kind items and group them together. Baking goods need their own spot. Sauces another. Take the time to organize and you’ll be wowed at how great your pantry can look.
- Open the door! If your pantry is behind a door, open it halfway. That way the door won’t be blocking a walkway in the kitchen but it will make the buyers curious enough to have a peek inside.
Outdoor Lighting
Walkway lights go a long way during evening showings. Not only do they illuminate for safety but they simply look elegant. Also, a quality motion-detected flood light gives buyers a sene of security while making the house easier to admire in the otherwise dark lot.
The Lanai
Do you have a paver lanai? When was the last time you had it pressure washed? A freshly washed lanai looks amazing. You might not even realize how dirty the bricks are until you see them next to clean ones.
Have a good look at the screens too. Are there any holes in panels? Replace them! Also, screens start to grey when they get older. Don’t let a buyer see that. Instead, consider replacing the screens. Full disclosure though–ripped and torn screens are not an inspection item under the Naples Area Board of Realtors contract. You are not obligated to fix or replace screen so you’re just doing this to make your home more marketable.
Wrapping Up
There you have it! Realtors love when sellers take the time to make each room perfect. We understand and appreciate just how long and tedious it can be so don’t stop when you’re so close to a perfect home! Neglecting these five features may not go noticed by your buyers but improving them certainly will grab their attention.