Category: General, Home Selling

Tips for getting your home ready to sell.

When preparing to sell your home, there are several things to keep in mind. The hardest thing to do, as a seller, is to think from a BUYER's point of view. After all, this is your house and you've been quite comfortable in it – things are just as you like them. But when you want to appeal to a wide range of buyers, there are several cosmetic things you can do to help prospective buyers envision THEMSELVES being comfortable in your home. Here is a short-list of tips that we've come up with to help you sell fast & sell for top dollar.

Curb Appeal – Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression

• Trim back hedges, bushes, and flowers so that the front of the home is more visible.
• Green the lawn with watering and fertilizer; be sure it is well mowed and trimmed.
• Repaint the front of the house, along with the trim and especially the front door.
• Be sure that all front windows are clean.
• Clean off the driveway & lawn – be sure there are no tools, toys, or anything else on the front lawn or driveway.
• Do whatever else is necessary to make the outside of the house look neat, tidy, and inviting to a buyer – some potted plants can easily make a home inviting from the street.

Interior - Home is where the heart is

• Remove at least 1/3 of the furniture and have it stored off the property. This effort will make the home look larger and more appealing.
• Paint any walls that have marks on them. (Cleaning often just makes the mess worse.)
• Have the carpets thoroughly cleaned or, if possible, replaced.
• Make sure the entry is spotless; clean floor tiles, and replace any that are broken.
• Remove most personal pictures from the house. Potential buyers want to imagine their family in the house, not be reminded of yours.
• Remove any items from the kitchen countertops and be sure it is spotless. Clean the kitchen cabinet doors if necessary.
• Clean the sink.
• Clean the appliances and wash dishes frequently so the dishwasher remains empty during showings. Get rid of any stains or drip marks on the stove and in the oven. 
• Replace bulbs throughout the house with a high wattage. Bring in extra light fixtures to remove shading from any dark areas. Turn on all lights before showing.
• Have all bathrooms thoroughly cleaned, especially removing all stains from toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Try to remove half of what's in your closet, if possible. Cluttered closets give the impression that the home doesn't have enough storage space.
• Keep the temperature around 70 degrees during showings.
• Clean windows, window sills, and window coverings.
• Freshen up! Plug in air fresheners are cheap and a great way to freshen up the air in your home. A great smelling home makes a great first impression!

If you would like any more tips, or a more personal opinion of your space, please drop us an email or give us a call to schedule a tour of your home!