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 Preparing Your Home to Sell Your home has just one chance to make a great impression with each potential buyer. The main idea to keep in mind is to present a clean, spacious, clutter-free home.... the kind YOU would like to buy. When you prepare your home to sell... do a little each day... and before long, it will be ready. One home owner that followed "the plan," commented prior to the first open house: "Now that I've done all the work, maybe I'd just like to stay here!" It's that kind of appeal that you want to create and the impression you want to convey to potential buyers. Here are some things you can think about in preparing you home to go on the market:
CURB APPEAL Mow Lawn | Trim shrubs | Edge gardens & walkways | Weed & mulch | Sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter, toys, etc. | Add color and fill in bare spots with plantings | Remove mildew or moss from walls or walks with bleach and water or other cleaner | Take stains off your driveway with cleanser or kitty litter | Stack woodpile neatly | Clean and repair patio and deck area | Remove any outdoor furniture which is not in good repair | Make sure pool or spa sparkles | Replace old storm doors | Check for flat-fitting roof shingles | Repair broken windows and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking | Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood | Touch up exterior paint | Clean and remove rust from any window air conditioning units | Paint the front door and mail box | Add a new front door mat and consider a seasonal door decoration | | Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc. | Make sure doorbell is in good working order | Repair broken fence slats | Fill in any concrete cracks, make sure bricks on walkways are tight fitting, etc. |
GENERAL INTERIOR TIPS Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors | Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary | Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary | Clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors | Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills | Clean the fireplace | Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and items you won't need until after you've moved | Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you don't use; keep paper, toys, etc. picked up -- especially on stairways | Repair problems such as loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaking taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closets or screen doors which are off their tracks | Add dishes of potpourri, or drop of vanilla or bath oil on light bulbs for scent | Secure jewelry, cash and other valuables | Make sure all burnt out light bulbs are replaced | Check doors, cupboards, drawers, etc. to make sure they open and close easily | Make sure all beds are made and all rooms are neat prior to showings | Check to see that all windows open and close easily, latch properly, etc. Repair if necessary | Repair any damage caused by pets, eliminate pet odors, eliminate smoke odors, etc. |
THE KITCHEN Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try taking baking soda for leaning Formica stains) | Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order | Clean often forgotten spots on top of refrigerator and under sink | Wax or sponge floor to brilliant shine, clean baseboards | Unclutter all counter space, remove countertop appliances | Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won't be using before you move | Make sure cupboards open and close easily, make sure they latch properly | Make sure all drawers open and close easily and are on tracks; replace any missing knobs, etc. |
THE BATHROOMS Remove all rust and mildew | Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, etc. are immaculate and shining | Make sure all fixtures are in good repair | Replace loose caulking or grout | Make sure lighting is bright, but soft | Make sure mirrors are cleaned and spotless | Make sure drawers open and close easily and are on track | Make sure flooring is clean and in good repair | Make sure baseboards are attached and clean |
THE MASTER BEDROOM Organize furnishings to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas. THE GARAGE Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items | Clean oily cement floor | Provide strong overhead lighting | Tidy storage or work area | Have all tools, rakes, shovels, etc organized neatly | Make sure garage door operates properly and that safety mechanisms are in proper working order |
THE BASEMENT Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary items | Organize and create more floor space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves | Clean water heater and drain sediment | Change furnace filter | Make inspection access easy | Clean and paint concrete floor and walls | Provide strong overhead light | Make sure steps and railings to basement are secure and in good condition | Make sure sump pump operates properly |
THE ATTIC Tidy up by discarding or pre-packing | Make sure energy-saving insulation is apparent | Make sure air vent is in working order | Provide strong overhead lighting |
WHEN IT'S TIME TO SHOW Make sure your property profile folder (utility bills, MLS profile, house location, survey, etc) are available | Open all draperies and shades, turn on all lights | Pick up toys and other clutter, check to make sure beds are made and clothes are put away | Give the carpets a quick vacuuming | Add some strategically placed fresh flowers | Open bathroom windows for fresh air | Pop a spicy dessert or just a pan of cinnamon in the oven for aroma | Turn off the television and turn on the radio music at a low volume | Make a fire in the fireplace if appropriate | Put pets in the backyard or arrange for a friend to keep them | Make sure pet areas are clean and odor free | Make sure all trash is disposed of in neatly covered bins |
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