You wouldn’t trade your kids for anything. They bring laughter and joy to your life, they amaze you with their creativity and kindness, and they comfort you with hugs and kisses. Yes, children are pretty awesome. But the reality is that they are also messy! And if you are trying to sell your home, kids can create some unique challenges.
Here are some ways you can make your home appeal to prospective buyers:
- Stash the toys. Don’t make your children the focal point of your home’s décor. Put away or pack up toys and take artwork off the refrigerator. Your goal is to have home buyers visualize your home as their own.
- De-personalize. In the kids’ bedrooms, consider toning down any specific themes. And if you’ve painted the walls a unique (or gender-oriented) color or have a large painted mural, you might want to repaint in a neutral color. Put away all toys and personal belongings before showings. You want buyers to be able to visualize the space and not be distracted by your children’s things.
- Clear out the playroom. If you have a room completely dedicated to the kids, play down the “play” part of it so that potential buyers can see other possibilities. Consider turning a playroom into a family room or having a play section. If possible, consider adding built-ins to provide storage.
- De-clutter. The more people in your household, the more clutter you have to manage. It’s always a good idea to do a room-by-room de-cluttering before you put your home on the market. Don’t forget the kids’ rooms! Buyers will want to see how much space the house has to offer, and clutter makes rooms look smaller than they actually are.
- Show when the kids aren’t home. If possible, schedule showings when your kids are not home. This will make it easier for potential buyers to focus on the house and not be distracted by your children. If this is not possible, then designate a “staging area” for your children during showings. This can be their bedroom or even the backyard – anywhere that will keep them occupied while buyers are looking at the house.
Selling your house with kids can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. With a little bit of planning, some creative thinking, and a realtor who understands, the process can go smoothly. Let Keller Williams – The Rider Elite Team help!
