We all know the big-ticket items that undeniably matter when selling your home — from location to amenities and pricing to layout. But the truth is, sometimes the most seemingly insignificant details can make the biggest impact on the end result. Care to ensure a smooth transaction while maximizing your chances of getting the best price?

Don’t let the small things weigh you down — keep reading to learn about the top details commonly overlooked during a sale so they make (and not break) yours!

#1 Curb Appeal

There’s no getting around it: When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. Neglecting the exterior of your home, including landscaping, paint, and general maintenance, can turn off potential buyers before they even step inside. Also not to be overlooked here? The common space in condos — including the hallways and carpets.

#2 Home Repairs

Thinking of leaving any repairs left unattended? Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a cracked tile, or a broken window, anything in this vicinity can signal neglect to buyers and give them reasons to negotiate the price down.

#3 Odors

Buyers want to envision themselves in a home, so it stands to reason that any odors left behind from pets, smoke, cooking, or mold can be a major turnoff. Ensure your home smells fresh and inviting by deep cleaning carpets, upholstery, and drapes, along with addressing any sources of unpleasant smells.

Do you have questions about selling your home? Keep reading these posts next:

• Things to Know About Selling Your Home As-Is
• How to Sell Your Parent’s Home
• How to Buy and Sell at the Same Time

#4 Clutter

You may think that having day-to-day items laying around makes a home look lived in and welcoming, but the truth is that clutter in excess will only minimize a room’s perceived square footage and distract buyers from seeing the potential of the space. The solution? Decluttering and organizing your home in advance to make it feel more spacious and appealing.

#5 Outdated Features

Consider updating features such as old appliances, worn-out carpeting, or outdated light fixtures to make your home feel less dated and more attractive to buyers.

#6 Incomplete Renovations

Half-finished renovation projects can raise red flags for buyers, who may worry about the quality of workmanship or the potential cost and inconvenience of completing the project themselves.

#7 Documentation and Permits

In real estate, paperwork matters. Our advice? Ensure that you have all the necessary permits for any renovations or additions to your home, since failure to provide proper documentation can delay or even derail the sale process entirely.

Get more selling insights with these posts next:

• Should You Hire a Friend to Sell Your Home?
• Your Guide to Buying and Selling a Home During the School Year
• Reasons Why Working with a Realtor® is Worth Every Penny

#8 Neighborhood Issues

Of course, there are some home sale red flags that are out of your control — such as noise pollution, high crime rates, or poorly maintained neighboring properties, all of which can affect your home’s desirability. What you can do? Make sure your home shines in-person and online to over shadow things we can’t change.

#9 Disclosure of Problems

During a home sale, honesty is always the best policy. Failure to disclose known issues with the property — such as past water damage, structural problems, or pest infestations – can lead to legal issues down the line and damage your reputation as a seller and have major financial implications.

Thinking about selling this spring? Our team is well-versed in all the details (big and small) that will get you the best offer in the least amount of time — and we can’t wait to share our expertise with you.

Thinking about making real estate moves in DC? We’d be happy to help! Give us a call at 202.280.2060 or email us directly at jsmira@jennsmira.com.