Are you considering selling your home in the Atlanta or Decatur area? Like most folks looking to sell, you likely want to net the highest amount possible. This is your biggest asset after all! Even though it’s an intense seller’s market, it’s still extremely important to prep for your place for the market. Atlanta home buyers are often looking for a totally move-in ready space, and it’s important for your home to instantly be a place they can imagine moving in to.

“Even though it’s an intense seller’s market, it’s still extremely important to prep for your place for the market.”

— - Sara Cowley

So! Without further ado, here are a few top ways to maximize profits when selling your Atlanta home:⁣

Get a professional deep clean. Cleanliness is one of the most important things you can do when selling. Top to bottom, you’ll want to do a deep clean and then regular touch-up cleanings before showings. ⁣We’re talking ceiling fans, blinds, corners in the floor, grout, trim work, and outdoor spaces as well. The home should smell clean too!
If you’re looking to make improvements, you’ll see the highest ROI from things like new flooring and fresh paint. Example: Refinishing hardwood floors average a 103% return!⁣ Usually, when we’ve lived in our Atlanta homes for a while, it can be easy to look past normal wear and tear. Paint gets dingy after a couple of years. Consider getting your home repainted by a pro in a neutral color scheme, or touching up your existing paint job. This is the easier ROI you can get!
Staging is especially crucial if your home has spaces buyers may find confusing. And there’s no need to drop big bucks—by all means use what you have. If your home is vacant but clean and in great condition, you may be able to skip staging altogether.⁣ One thing I tell my clients, your home should look like a vacation rental. Meaning, nothing personal, nothing cluttered, just cleared off counters, and definitely no personal items in bathrooms! We don’t want buyers thinking about YOU when touring your home, we want them to imagine their new life there. Give them a blank slate so they can envision that!
Hire a realtor you trust who is intimately familiar with your neighborhood in Atlanta–they will be able to tell you what upgrades are worth it and what upgrades aren’t.⁣

Keep in mind if you aren’t planning on moving in the next year or two, don’t worry about future buyers when making decisions about your home. You should love the home you live in, and if that means adventurous paint colors or bold tile floors, don't hold back—go for it! - Sara