Preparing Your House to Sell
Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to spruce up your home so it will send home-buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here are a few tips to help you prep your house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable home.
De-Personalize
Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there. You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."
De-Clutter!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it. If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away? The more clutter you have, the smaller your home feels. You want your home to feel like there is plenty of space for the new buyer to put all of their things. A few tips are to remove all books from bookcases, leaving only a few colorful ones for show, pack up those knickknacks, and clean off everything from the kitchen counters.
Rearrange Kitchen Cabinets and Bedroom Closets
Buyers are inquisitive and will open closet and cabinet doors. If buyer believes sees everything organized, it says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means, in the kitchen neatly stack dishes, pots and pans; turn coffee cup handles facing the same way and organize the pantry. In the closet, hang like items together, buttoned, and facing the same direction, line up shoes, and neatly fold sweaters on the shelves.
Rent a Storage Unit
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.
Touch Up Your Home and Make Minor Repairs
A fresh coat of paint is an important investment. Consider painting your walls neutral colors. Whether it is the living room wall, trim, front door, or wood siding, if it is peeling, repaint it. Replace worn hardware, light fixtures and burned out light bulbs. Fix leaky faucets, doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
Make Your House Sparkle!
Your house should always be in tip-top shape for showings. Clean all flooring, windows, and mirrors. Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures. Clean out cobwebs, replace worn rugs, and clean and air out musty smelling areas. Make sure the carpet has been vacuumed and wood floors swept prior to a showing.
Improve Your Curb Appeal
The first impression of your home is formed by the buyer before they ever step foot in your house. If a buyer won't get out of their agent's car because they don't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside. Most importantly, keep the grass cut, bushes trimmed, and flowerbeds well maintained. Also, keep the sidewalks cleared and make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
