Get it Sold… The Mangin Way! (Part 2) (these aren't new ideas…but done right, they really work )
Let's jump right into it shall we? If you missed the first part of this post, check out Monday's Part 1 here.
6. Go Outside. Go outside and across the street. How does your house look on the outside? Watch a few episodes of HGTV's Curb Appeal and you'll know what I'm talking about. Would someone driving by be interested and want to see what you have to offer on the inside? If your landscaping is looking a little shabby, hit the local garden shop and get some inexpensive bushes, plants, and mulch. Edging and mulching make a world of a difference.
7. Get an Honest Abe… Now is not the time to call your BFF and ask what she thinks of your house (unless I'm your BFF, in which case I am going to tell you the honest truth). You need to get someone to come over that is going to give you the down and dirty, honest truth about your house. What do they see? What jumps out? (both good and bad?) What would keep them from wanting to move in? AND REMEMBER: You are not your house. Don't let your feelings get hurt. The way you live in your home and the way you sell it are two totally different things. So, don't sweat it. Take the constructive criticism and see it as $$$$ signs!
Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via The Real Housewives on Pinterest
8. Paint. Some people love to paint, some people hate it… when you're selling, it doesn't matter if you like it or not. You will be doing it. Now, don't go all crazy with the"Realtor Beige." I don't think a house needs to be all beige and white… that's just blah! But, you might love your bright orange bathroom, but most buyers won't have a matching neon shower curtain! So, take an honest look at some of your colors and paint what you need to. We had a dark charcoal master bedroom, which we loved, but we knew it could have been a little too dark for some buyers. So, we painted it a lighter grey. Actually, in one week we painted the master bedroom, kitchen, the living room, master bathroom, hallways, and every single inch of trim in the house. Now, we might be a tad extreme, but it sure was clean and crisp. Trim is such a pain, but seriously makes a HUGE difference. It makes your home seem so well cared for a move-in-ready.
Source: houzz.com via Milijana on Pinterest
9. Declutter. Man, she's redundant! Look at your kitchen counter. Does it look anything like this picture? It shouldn't! Take 3/4 of the stuff off. Bye Bye Kitchenaid… hide it in the basement. Even if you have cool decor and accessories, pack up many of them. You don't want your home to seem bare, but you also aren't selling your decor, you're selling the house. I honestly can't stress decluttering enough. We have a lot of stuff. Sometimes it take selling to realize that.
10. Use a realtor. This is a personal opinion for sure, but it's my largest investment we're talking about. There's a lot a stake. If I needed my kidney removed, but it was pricey to use a professional surgeon, I probably wouldn't attempt it myself, just to save a chunk of change. I won't get on a soapbox about this, but I whole-heartedly believe in their value. One of our fabulous sponsors, Melanie (see the sidebar!) would be a good place to start.
So there you have it. The Mangin family's not so secretive secrets to how we've had some great success selling homes. I hope it's been helpful and that you'll share it with a friend. It can be crazy-stressful selling a house and these insider tips can really make a difference and make you feel confident that your house is ready for it's big market debut. Good Luck!
