Even the best of homes typically require quite a bit of work to get them ready to sell. And then if you’re trying to make your house more family friendly, that work usually increases – from more attention to certain aspects of staging to different marketing tactics. Really, though, a lot of it is just a shift in emphasis. So let’s take a look at 5 things you can do to make your house more family friendly when listing on the Simi Valley MLS.
1. Deep Clean and Declutter . . . of Course
Whether you’re trying to make your Simi Valley house more family friendly or not, some things will always remain the same in your preparations – deep cleaning and decluttering, for instance. It’s just that these become even more important when you’re striving for family friendliness.
“Decluttering is one of the most important parts of staging a home for sale. Even the tidiest homes still need to be decluttered a bit to make them ready for the market because every piece of décor affects how your home feels. . . . Thin out the items on your surfaces and pack away as much from your closets as you can to visually expand these areas.
“Deep cleaning is also a must. Even if your home is maintained regularly, home buyers will be looking at everything and even the smallest things like a dusty vent or dirty baseboards can be off-putting to buyers.”
2. Take Care of Electrical and Plumbing Issues
Typically, families with children use bathrooms and the kitchen far more heavily than child-less homeowners. To make your house more family friendly, then, you must take care of any electrical or plumbing issues and make sure these systems are in tip-top shape.
You should begin by replacing outdated fuses with circuit breakers. And make sure all outlets are properly grounded and install GFCI outlets where they are required by code. Also, installing baby-proof outlets is a good idea to appeal to families with very young children.
In addition, “make sure that all toilets flush properly and don’t leak around the base. Rebuilding a toilet and replacing the wax ring between its base and the floor is an inexpensive repair for a home seller. Make sure all drains work correctly.”
3. Make the Pool Safe
Many buyers with families want a home with a pool. But they also want a pool that is safe, that doesn’t present a danger to their children. So to make your house more family friendly, make sure the pool is safe.
The most popular and reliable safety option for a pool is a mesh fence. It will satisfy most safety codes, and the average cost is about $10 per linear foot.
Another option to make your house more family friendly by making the pool safer is a pool safety cover. The typical cost for a cover is about $1 to $5 per square foot. And not only does a cover make the pool safer for children, but it also serves as a barrier to keep leaves and other debris out of the water.
4. Create a Blank Palette
All home buyers, but especially buyers with children, want to be able to envision your house as their home, to imagine it filled with their belongings and them living there. So a great way to make your house more family friendly when listing on the Simi Valley MLS is to create a blank palette that will allow potential buyers to do just that.
“The first task on your home staging to-do list is to neutralize your décor . . . Industry pros always strongly recommend neutralizing everything and then accenting it with some subtle pops of color. This will make your home appeal to more buyers and let them imagine their own decor in its place.
“The second task on your home staging to-do list is to remove your personal items. Personal items such as family photos, awards, or kids’ art are reminders to buyers that they are walking through a stranger’s home. This is very uncomfortable for most people. This sense of discomfort affects how they feel about the home and makes them rushed to leave.”
5. Market Appropriately
Now, after having done all these things to make your house more family friendly, you need to market it appropriately. And this means pointing out and playing up the features and amenities that will appeal especially to buyers with families.
Some examples are:
- A location within or near a top school district
- Being situated on a quiet street or cul-de-sac
- Proximity to parks and restaurants
- Low crime rate
- Large backyard
- Smart technology that contributes to both security and comfort
- Plenty of square footage and bedrooms
Consult Your Agent Before Listing on the Simi Valley MLS
Finally, to make your house more family friendly when listing on the Simi Valley MLS, be sure to consult your Simi Valley real estate agent. Your agent will have a thorough understanding of the local market and will know exactly what will most appeal to buyers with families. So if you’re ready to sell and want to make your house more family friendly, contact us today at (805) 257-5780.