When you bought your home, what was the tipping point that convinced you to make an offer? Was it the gorgeous front door and landscaping or maybe the brand-new appliances? Every detail has the opportunity to persuade someone to buy. What low-effort actions can you and other Floridians take to entice buyers at your next open house?
1. Let in Light
The sun is almost always shining in Florida, so you should take advantage of it. Residents feel happier in well-lit spaces, with research proving natural light reduces feelings of seasonal affective disorder and other mental health concerns. Prospective buyers visiting the home can see details more easily if they don’t have to squint in dim rooms.
Here are a few simple and inexpensive ways to brighten up any dull rooms in your home and impress buyers:
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Paint walls and ceilings in lighter colors.
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Change light bulbs to ones with more lumens and whiter color profiles.
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Replace blackout curtains in common areas with ones that let in more sunlight.
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Move furniture covering any windows.
2. Stage With Intention
Staging a home makes the most out of items you already have — it’s just a matter of curating it to please the masses. You have all the resources to learn how to stage a room with inspiration from YouTube, Pinterest and TikTok. Feel free to seek advice from a professional, but a quick rearranging can make a world of difference.
Move furniture to make homes feel more open, remove polarizing art pieces and declutter chaotic corners so people can see the potential in every room. Consider adding a few houseplants, such as the popular Fiddle-leaf figs to attract younger homebuyers. Feel free to explore homes on websites like Zillow to see what staging techniques other people use to sell their properties faster than others.
3. Focus on Sound
Do you ever hate staying somewhere that isn’t your home because the atmosphere is different? There might be bustling traffic on a nearby street, or the air conditioning unit is noisy. Inconvenient, annoying sounds ruin the experience of walking through and admiring a home. Day-to-day activities become slightly frustrating, such as walking across the wooden living room floor or opening the bathroom door.
Creaky floorboards and squeaky hinges are simple fixes. Check for damaged pins or areas of friction, or debris accumulation could also cause parts to not sit correctly. Swiftly repair these irritations by lubricating doors or adding a few nails to the subfloor in a room. Here are a few other places you may want to check for unnecessary noise:
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Vents
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Laundry machines
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Dishwashers
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Water heaters
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Window and door seals
Also, rain in Florida is a big deal, and if someone comes to view your house and all they can hear is dripping, you’ll not be leaving the best impression. Sealing your siding, windows, doors and roof can help keep pesky drips at bay and help you seal the deal with prospective buyers.
4. Create Consistency
Studies show a home’s value could increase by up to $6,000 by repainting seemingly inconsequential areas like the front door or cabinetry. Calm, neutral colors like periwinkle gray and light taupe are solid options for crafting an agreeable, consistent color story. Eclectic decor and color choices may turn people away.
You can also create harmony from room to room with furnishings that have similar fabrics and materials. You don’t have to replace major pieces, but using tablecloths, pillows and other accents can create more cohesion.
5. Get It Inspected
A couple of relatively affordable appointments go a long way when conveying accurate information to potential buyers or creating a renovation to-do list. Your real estate agent can help you identify what is essential to schedule, but most general home inspections look at issues regarding:
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Garage doors
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Insects and pests
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HVAC systems
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Water damage, mold and mildew
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Roof damage
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Foundational and structural problems
The results of a comprehensive home inspection are included in the seller’s disclosure so buyers know what to anticipate. Few homes meet all the requirements with flying colors, so have realistic expectations and take repairs one step at a time.
Sellers may want to anticipate buyers bringing in phase inspectors, who review changes made to the house over time during the sale. HVAC systems account for 38% of problems with general safety concerns at a close second at 36%. Lesser-known problems include drafty doors and non-functioning electrical outlets. Inspections may reveal massive changes, but you don’t have to worry about them. Consult with an agent if they’re too much to handle financially, and consider as-is sales options. Regardless, buyers will appreciate the transparency.
Little Changes, Big Impression
Homes in Florida can be showstoppers, and minor edits can refine them further. If you want your home to sell weeks sooner for thousands of dollars more, apply some of this advice. The time and financial investment will be worth it when you see the returns on the sales checks.