Take a Tour of Your La Quinta HomeThis is actually two in one. The first thing you need to do is go out to the end of your driveway and approach your home as if it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it. Really take a fresh look and try to notice everything. When buyers approach your home, they will be studying it from top to bottom, which means cobwebs, front door finish, un-kept flower beds, you get the idea.
Keep in mind that while their agent is fumbling with the key and lock, they have a few extra minutes to really look at things. All those little honey-dos that you’ve been ignoring now need to move to the top of the to-do list. Prioritize the highest visual impact items first. Secondly, tour your competition. If you want to get really in-depth, you can make showing appointments at a few competing homes and go there in person. With the internet, it’s pretty easy to do this from the comfort of your couch. As your search parameters, input your price range, home size, and La Quinta neighborhood.
You’ll then be able to compare your home to all the others most buyers will be looking at likely the same day they view yours. When you’re looking, the big things will jump out at you (granite countertops, hardwood floors, rooms, etc.) but also pay attention to how the home is presented. Do the rooms have clean lines, orderly décor, lack of clutter? How are the colors? Admittedly, the presentation of the home has a lot to do with the listing agent. Sometimes poor quality photos make it hard to tell much of anything, but do your best to get a good idea of what your reaction is to the photos.
Make The Necessary Fixes
Next, consider having a seller’s home inspection done. With La Quinta homes for sale numbering in the thousands, it’s very important to set yours above the rest. The market here is discerning, as most buyers are purchasing move-up properties or second homes. Because of this, having the home in tip top shape is paramount. Know what the problems are and handle them prior to putting the home on the market. Undoubtedly, something will still come up when the buyers have their inspection, but in order to keep their list to a minimum and have control over what is fixed, do this on your own terms first.
Look At Your La Quinta Home Through A Buyer’s Eyes
Third, unless you’ve been under a rock during the past decade of HGTV’s seemingly never-ending loop of home selling shows, you already know that you need to de-clutter and de-personalize. Think of this as the first step in your transition out of this home. Yes it can be hard, but it needs to be done at some point, so you might as well get it done sooner and enhance your marketability.
Some black and white or antique photos may be okay, but less is more when it comes to family photos. Remember, your objective is to create a scene that is easy for a buyer to insert themselves into. Think of it like this; when you check into a hotel room, rationally you know that someone else slept in that room just the night before, right? But since it’s been cleaned and perfectly straightened, you’re able to think of it as being ‘your’ space. Now imagine checking into a hotel room and seeing a dirty glass sitting on the counter. That would give you the creeps, right, making you feel like you were in somebody else’s space. Keep this analogy in mind when ‘taking your tour’.
In summary, La Quinta real estate is competitive. The entire goal is to create a mental image for the buyer in which they see themselves living in your home. With the right presentation, they’ll begin placing their furniture and envisioning how their family will live in that space right away. To get your La Quinta home sold quickly and for top dollar, take the necessary steps up front to put your best foot forward.