In my experience, Orange County home buyers almost always want a home that’s in perfect condition. In other words, they want to buy a home that’s ready for HGTV. But don’t let that discourage you! Prepping your home for sale can actually be much easier than you think. Here's 4 ways we encourage our sellers to get their home "HGTV READY" without breaking the bank:

First, focus on curb appeal. This is the first and last impression potential buyers will have of your home, so you want to make sure it’s a good one! A fresh coat of paint on the front door, some well-placed potted plants and a power wash can go a long way.

Next, declutter and depersonalize. This is your home, and you've probably made it feel like just that - a home. But when you're selling, it's important to remember that potential buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in the space. So take down those personal photos, clear off the countertops and make sure every room looks as spacious and inviting as possible.

Third, pay attention to the little details. This can be anything from fixing a loose doorknob to making sure all the lightbulbs are working. I always tell buyers “you want to buy a home or a car from somebody who has a little bit of OCD”...so even if you’re not obsessive/compulsive, you might want to pretend that you are. You want buyers to walk away from your home feeling confident that it's well-cared for and move-in ready. 

Finally, work with a professional home stager.  A home stager will come in and give you an objective opinion on what changes need to be made to make your home appeal to the widest range of buyers. And trust me, it's worth the investment! We have a designer on our team who always gets rave reviews from our homeowners and open house visitors.

If you follow these four simple tips, your home will be ready for its close-up in no time. And who knows? You  might just end up on HGTV yourself!

Still have questions or need more help? Our team of real estate experts would be happy to chat with you - reach out anytime!