Sell your house in Fort Lauderdale

Click here to contact a gay Real Estate agent serving Fort Lauderdale and the Wilton Manors area.

Dave Stump is one of Fort Lauderdale's premier gay Real Estate agents. Contact Dave when you decide to buy or sell Real Estate in Fort Lauderdale or Wilton Manors.

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You’ve decided to put your house on the market and make that big move. Here are some tips on making your house show better to prospective buyers.

Gays are notorious for their decorative flair. . . painting walls bold colors and collecting knick-knacks and antiques. An unsuspecting buyer might think that they had just walked into a museum or a trendy boutique. Your Real Estate agent shouldn’t have to clear a path as they show your home.

Homes that are uncluttered and are painted neutral colors show better and give the appearance that they are larger than they actually are. If you are serious about selling your home and don’t want to waste your time showing your place over and over again to no avail, I suggest a serious makeover.

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward sprucing up your home. Select neutral colors like white, off-white or light beige. I know what you’re thinking. How vanilla! But trust me on this one, Honey! Secondly, go through every room and start packing up those stacks of outdated ADVOCATE and SLUT PUPPY magazines, bar guides and newspapers and throw them into the recycle bin. It may be a good time to part with, or at the very least pack up, all of those party favors and gay pride necklaces that you’ve been collecting over the years. It’s also a good idea to go through your closets and start donating unused clothing to your favorite charity. By emptying half of your closet space, your closets will have the appearance of being more spacious than they really are.

Buyers have a hard time imagining living in a house full of your stuff. They want to be able to imagine living in their new home filled with their stuff.

It's a scientific fact that people who own pets tend to live longer. And who knows that better than a sister! It's also a fact that people who don't own pets will pick up on the smell of your babies the second they walk through your door. Even that little accident that Chopper made on your living room floor that you thought you thoroughly steamed out of your carpet may carry a lingering odor. And you know that litter box that you keep under the bathroom sink? Bingo! Very unpleasant to a non-catowner.

When preparing to show your home to a prospective buyer, it's a good idea to spray the place down with room deodorizer and burn scented candles when possible to mask any telltale smells. I know that you've become accustomed to those familiar odors (of course, it's your home), but you don't want to run the risk of turning off a buyer over something that's so easily remedied.

If you intend on staying in your house until it sells, don’t go manic on us. You want your house to look lived in. Just keep it clean, uncluttered and neutral.

Lastly, consider allowing your Real Estate agent to place an electronic lockbox on your house. The lockbox contains the keys to your home and allows for easier access to agents who want to show your house. By making your home more accessible, you are increasing the likelihood that a prospective buyer will see your home and fall in love with it.