Prep Your Home to Sell this Winter

While many people believe that winter is the worst time for selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, we've seen time and again this year and for the last couple of years that this simply isn't true. In fact, some of our best times for selling have been during the winter "slow" season! So, if you're ready to get your home sold, it's time to talk to the real estate team who's had fantastic luck with sales in the off season.


As a start, it's beneficial to prepare your home before listing it. A few minor touch-ups and attention to detail can go a long way towards making a favorable impression on potential buyers — and perhaps closing a deal. So, before you list your home for sale, put your buyer’s hat on and walk through your home like it's the first time. Doing this will open your eyes to things you may not have noticed otherwise. Here are some handy tips to help you through the prep process before listing a home for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Declutter
People don't realize just how much stuff they accumulate over the years until it's time to pack it all up on moving day. As creatures of habit, we tend to hold onto things because they have sentimental value or we think we may need them in the future. So we tuck it away in a closet, cabinet or drawer and it never gets touched again. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.

Organize
Buyers will open every closet and cabinet door to investigate available storage space. If your closets and cabinets are stuffed full to the brim and disorganized, the buyer may think that there simply isn't enough storage. By organizing your storage areas, you'll optimize space and show all of the potential room to buyers. Plus, your organization gives buyers the notion that you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.

Depersonalize
If your home is full of  personal items, buyers may get distracted and have a hard time picturing themselves living in your home. Pack up your personal photographs and family heirlooms. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! Rather than buyers saying "I wonder what kind of people live in this home", you want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."

Repair
In some instances, you may be able to sell a home in "as in" condition. However, most buyers will expect repairs to be made prior to closing on a deal. Whether you choose to address minor or major maintenance items can make or break your sale. If you know of any small repairs that will likely be brought up during an inspection, you should address them before listing the home. That'll just be one less thing you have to worry about down the road!

Clean
We cannot stress this enough. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN! And when you think you've cleaned enough, clean some more! Cleaning your home should go beyond the usual weekly or day-to-day cleaning job. This could take all day to complete, and you might want to hire assistance. Start at the top and work your way down, ceiling to floor. Make sure to pay attention to areas that don't normally get attention: door frames, corners, window treatments, behind and underneath furnishings, deep clean the oven and microwave, etc. Serious buyers will catch the things you don't because they don't see it everyday like you do.

Use these tips to help prep before selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Buyers will be more likely to put in attractive offers, and you'll likely get your home sold more quickly! We just have one final tip for you today: Hire the best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks to list your home. Team Andy Gibson is excited about your decision to sell a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we would love to discuss what we can do to help your real estate transaction go as smoothly as possible!


Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks Realty
858 Hwy 42
Osage Beach, MO 65065 
573-286-5907 Cell
573-348-9898 Office
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