Harris Manor Realty

Seller Tips

Harris Manor Baton Rouge Realty Sold!

1. Prepare your property. Get rid of clutter, its not just your average mess.

2. Be as neat as possible. This may go without saying, but the only thing as important as decluttering is having a neat and clean house. That means steam-cleaning the carpets. Walls should be painted if needed. Pressure-washing outdoor decks and aluminum siding can do wonders for a home's first impression and boost a home's value. Just remember that buyers will open every door so make sure all closets are neat and organized.

3. Remove all personal items. Make sure your home appeals to as many buyers as possible. Remove family photos and religious items.

4. Be sure your home smells fresh. A house that smells odd to a prospective homeowner -- whether because of a cat's litter box, or dogs, or exotic food -- can easily be a deal breaker. Ask someone you trust to give you an honest answer about whether your home has a distinct odor. Then tackle the problem by steam-cleaning the carpets and furniture, moving litter boxes elsewhere and scrubbing the kitchen, etc. Finally, don't try to mask anything with potpourri or by baking cookies. Just open windows a few minutes before a showing to let in fresh air.

5. Spend the money where it matters: out front. Use your time and money wisely. Studies show that the front porch is where prospective home buyers spend the most time, as they wait for the door to be unlocked.