The Commercial Appeal

Tips for selling a smaller home or condo

- By Carmen Prince, President, Memphis Area Associatio­ns of REALTORS®

No one home-selling strategy works for every size home. If you own a smaller home, or a condo, you might have a different set of challenges than someone trying to sell a 5,000 square-foot house with a huge backyard.

But know this: Any home’s appeal can be enhanced. This is one reason why staging – focusing on strengths and minimizing weaknesses – is so important for any seller. In fact, I’d argue it’s even more crucial if you have a condo or a smaller home. The smaller the space, the more your potential buyers will pay attention to what they like best and what they like least.

You might find this hard to believe, but it is true: Even a cluttered countertop or overstuffe­d closet can be a negative to potential buyers.

So, how do you make the most of the space you have? Well, you can always hire a profession­al stager or interior decorator. If you want to do that, go for it.

But many REALTORS® have a sharp eye for staging as well. And this doesn’t have to be complicate­d or particular­ly expensive. Live plants can do wonders to improve a living room, a bathroom, a bedroom, or even a kitchen. Tasteful lamps also can shine a brighter light on good features in your home.

Also, don’t forget artwork. Well-done art or photograph­s can enhance the décor, even change the way a space is viewed. One disclaimer: Don’t line the walls with family portraits; it makes it more difficult for potential buyers to imagine this as their home.

Consider the view, too, if you have one. You don’t want to over-decorate and take away from a view of a river, golf course or woods. On the other hand, if you have a poor view from the patio or balcony window, placing some live plants in that area can help.

And you don’t have to give every room the same level of attention. Living room, kitchen, master bedroom and master bath all matter greatly. The second bedroom and half bath in a two-bedroom house or condo, not so much. They are not the rooms that will sell the home.

Whatever the size of your home, your REALTOR® stands ready to help make that home more attractive to buyers.

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