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Spring into Action: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell – “If I Can Smell It – I Can’t Sell It”

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As I sit down to write this article on Tuesday evening, I’m reminded of how unpredictable spring weather can be. It’s chilly outside, and I can’t help but wonder—what happened to the nice weather we had over the past few weeks that gave us a glimpse of hope? Many of you are either enjoying spring break, preparing for it, or just returning home. Spring break often signals two things in my world: first, that we’ll be mowing grass in just a few weeks, and second, that people are starting to think about buying and selling real estate or thinking about having an auction. With that comes a flurry of activity, and we’re already starting to see people reaching out about listing their properties and scheduling their spring and summer auctions.

I’m excited to share that we already have some great properties and auctions coming up in the next several months, but before we start the season, I wanted to talk about getting your home ready for the market.

When I first got into real estate, a seasoned pro gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me. She said, “Brandon, if I can smell it, I can’t sell it.” While it’s a humorous saying, there’s definitely a lot of truth behind it. Over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of homes—some pristine, others in need of a little TLC. As you prepare to sell, you might be wondering what exactly you should be doing to get your home ready to put it on the market. After nearly thirty years in the business, here is my advice……

There are generally two types of sellers:

  1. The Immaculate Seller – This seller’s home is spotless, and you could literally put a “For Sale” sign in their yard any time. They typically ask, “What can I do to improve my home?”
  2. The Tidy-Up Seller – This seller’s home might need a little more attention before it’s ready to hit the market. And that’s perfectly okay! Sometimes, a little guidance is all it takes to transform a home into a buyer’s dream.

So, to help guide you, here’s my list of Brandon’s Must-Dos to get your home ready for sale:

1. Give Your Home a Deep Clean
This one’s a no-brainer. If buyers see a clean home, they’ll be more likely to imagine themselves living there. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, as these are places that buyers scrutinize the most.

2. Make Sure Everything’s Tidy for Showings
When showing your home or preparing for a photographer to take pictures, make sure beds are made, countertops are wiped down, and there are no dirty dishes in the sink. And here’s a tip that I see overlooked far too often—make sure the toilet seat is down. It’s a small detail, but trust me, it makes a big difference!

3. Organize Your Closets
Buyers will open every closet they can find. Make sure they don’t have to fight to shut the doors! Keep them neat, and make sure that they are not too full.

4. Consider Renting a Storage Unit
If your home is cluttered with too much furniture, toys, or other belongings, consider renting a storage unit. A clean, decluttered home will allow buyers to visualize their own things in the space.

5. Let the Light In
Before showings, open all your blinds and turn on all the lights. Natural light can make your home feel more inviting, and well-lit spaces will appear more spacious.

6. Take Care of Your Pets
If you have pets, try to ensure they’re not home during the showings. Tidy up pet toys, food bowls, and cages, and keep pet odors to a minimum. A clean, neutral space will make it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves in your home.

7. Enhance Your Curb Appeal
Spring is just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to spruce up your landscaping. Fresh mulch, mowed lawns, and a tidy yard can make a significant impact on the first impression your home makes.

I recently sold my own home, and I followed every step on the list I’ve shared with you. It can definitely be a lot of work, but trust me, it pays off. The more effort you put into preparing your home, the better the results you’ll get.

Here’s a final tip: If your home isn’t getting showings, when you leave for work, try leaving the bed unmade, leave dishes in the sink, and leave clothes on the floor. I guarantee you’ll have three showings that day! It’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but I’ve seen it happen more than once. 😊

Whether you’re planning to sell this spring or summer, or you’re just getting started, it’s never too early to begin preparing your property for the market. Remember, the more you do to make your home shine, the better your chances of selling for top dollar.

As always, keep dreaming big, investing wisely, and remember—whether it’s homes, businesses, treasures, or transitions, we’re here to help you move forward.

Cheers, Brandon Steffen

7 Ways to Get Your Offer Accepted in A Seller’s Market

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You’re finally ready to take the plunge and put in an offer on your dream house. You found something that is perfect for you and your family’s needs and you’re willing to pay the asking price. It’s a sure thing, right? Not so fast!

A Seller’s market means that there are more buyers than there are homes available for sale. In may mean that your full-price offer just isn’t going to cut it. So, what can you do to get that perfect house you’ve searched for high and low? These tips might push your offer to the front of the line.

Make Your Offer as Clean As Possible: A clean offer should not be contingent on the sale of another property of have other financial constraints. It should also be free of seller concessions, which are things that a buyer asks for outside of the offer price.

Avoid Asking for Personal Property: Drooling over the sparkly chandelier listed in the exclusions? Don’t ask for it. Want them to throw in that cool lawn furniture? Skip it. Your offer could be very similar in price to another offer that isn’t asking for items that belong to the Seller. Asking for personal property items could weaken your offer.

Offer Above – Asking Price: This is not the market for making low offers and hoping someone will bite. You will have to make your offer strong enough to beat out a multiple-bid situation. If you want the house, you’re likely going to have to go above market price.

Put Down A Strong Earnest Money Deposit: Your earnest money deposit is proof that you are a good -faith buyer. Usually, the listing real estate broker will hold onto your earnest money deposit in their escrow account, and it will contribute to your down payment and closing costs. In today’s market your earnest money deposit is usually 1%-3% of the purchase price of the home.

Have a Strong Pre-Approval Letter from a Reputable Lender: It is important to have met with your lender and provided them with their request documentation so that you have a strong pre-approval letter. The larger the down payment that you are able to put down on the home the stronger your offer will look to the Seller.

Add an Escalation Clause to Your Offer: An escalation clause means that your offer will outbid other offers up to a maximum price. This means that you make an offer saying you will pay X price for a home, but if a higher offer comes in, you will increase your offer to Y price.

Pay with Cash: Cash offers always look the best to the Seller. A bank finance deal is usually subject to financing contingencies and appraisals. This leaves the back door open for the Buyer to exit. Also, when a Buyer finances a property, they are at the mercy of the lenders process. This could deter a seller, especially if they have other cash offers on the table.

The Bottom Line: While they may seem small, these things can go a long way to making your offer stand out and get you the home of your dreams. Establishing that you’re a serious buyer, with the financial capabilities to meet all obligations, is the way to a seller’s heart. Be willing to go the extra mile, both in your intention and in your financial offers. If you do so, the seller of your dream home will notice your effort and give your offer a second glance.