As a real estate agent in Chicago, I understand that selling your home can be an overwhelming process. That's why I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
In this section, I'll provide you with valuable insights and advice on how to prepare your home for sale, from staging tips to home improvement ideas that can increase the value of your property.
Selling your home doesn’t just mean hiring a realtor to stick a sign out front. There are a lot of preparations you should make to ensure you get the best offer possible in the shortest time.
Whenever I meet a seller, I like to advocate doing the “Three D’s” of selling:
Declutter
De-Personalize
Decorate
Declutter
Over the years, it’s only natural to acquire a lot of belongings from all over the world. Unfortunately, when buyers are walking through your home, the last thing they need is constant distractions from what they came to see…YOUR HOME! Try and remove all your little “knick-knacks” from the tables, counters, and walls and just leave items that bring value to the overall picture.
De-Personalize
You want buyers to see themselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneled walls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be much harder for them to do. You want to make your home as neutral as possible from your personal photographs to that 5-foot cross on the wall. A prospective buyer shouldn’t be able to tell your age, race, sex, religion, or even your baseball loyalty when walking through your home. Key word: Neutralize
Decorate
Once your house is clean and neutral, it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and decorative touches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in your home: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps, and towels, patio furniture, etc. Try replacing any bold color choices on your walls with something more calm and easy on the eyes. Repainting and reflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all the possibilities. Think of it as a little makeup if it’s done right… you notice the beauty, not the makeup itself.
Compass Concierge
How it works
Decide which services can increase your home’s value the most and set an estimated budget for the work.
When you’re ready to start, your Compass agent will be by your side as you engage contractors and vendors.
Once the transformation is complete, your home will go on the market.
You’ll pay for the services when one of the following happens – your home sells, you terminate your listing agreement with Compass, or 12 months pass from your Concierge start date. Subject to program terms that may vary by market.