Your home is listed for sale…you worked all day, you went to soccer practice, you managed to go to grocery, cook dinner and next on the list is cutting the grass among the other hundreds of tasks you are expected to do to maintain a smooth running home. Suddenly the phone rings and it is your listing agent letting you know that another agent will be bringing a well qualified, potential buyer through your home in less than an hour (it happens!). UGH! There are dirty dishes, groceries piled up, dirty soccer clothes and shoes scattered about and you are frantically trying to consolidate the mess. The closets, drawers, pantry, cabinets and garage seem to be the most logical place to pack your mess, right? Out of sight, out of mind…right?
Be aware that sellers open cabinet doors and drawers, open pantries, closets, and even refrigerators and ovens. Sellers’ eyes are everywhere - they are not being nosey - they are sizing up spaces to see if the spaces are sufficient to accommodate their items. Ample storage and closet space has always been on my buyer clients’ “Must Have” lists when shopping for a home. With short notice on a showing, I think buyers are more forgiving of a few dishes in the sink and unpacked groceries than stuffed, over-flowing and messy closets, cabinets and pantries.
In general, keeping your closet clutter to a minimum and organizing your kitchen cabinets, drawers and pantry will allow potential buyers to imagine their items stored away. Cabinets and closets in disarray will give the impression that there is not enough storage in the home. I have found that closet organizers (even the inexpensive wire organizers) make a good impression on buyers, especially when items are well organized to show maximum use of space. You can't change the size of the storage areas you have, but you can maximize the use of the space. I have also noticed how buyers love a tidy garage – one that shelters cars rather than looking like a mini-storage facility.
In short, de-clutter those closets! Clean out that pantry! Organize those drawers! Buyers want spacious storage, so present yours in an orderly way!
For all your real estate needs...
Contact Marie Lally at 301-748-8698
Website: http://www.marielally.com
email: marie@marielally.com
Friendly, responsive and professional real estate services in Southern Maryland. Serving homebuyers and sellers in St. Mary's County, Charles County, Calvert County and PG County, MD.
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