Preparing Your Home to Sell

EXTERIOR:

  1. Make sure your lawn is mowed and edged.  The first impression a buyer will get of your home is from the outside.  Curb appeal is very important.  If you don’t have the time to keep the lawn mowed and edged, now is the time when hiring a service would benefit you.  This way you don’t have to worry about making sure it always is done in time for a buyer to see it.
  2. Trim all the trees and shrubs on your property.  If you can’t reach some of your trees or have the equipment to trim the trees and shrubs, we suggest you hire a landscape company to get it in shape for you.  
  3. Plant some flowers or display large flower pots.  This is the best way to brighten up your yard and enhance that curb appeal.  You can pick up inexpensive pots at a pottery place, K-Mart, Target, Home Depot, or even at a Garage Sale.  These same places carry all types of flowers and shrubs too at good prices.
  4.  Make sure the porch is free of clutter and swept clean of dirt. Repair the screen on the front door or other outdoor areas with screening:  All screens should be repaired before the home is on the market.  
  5. Ensure the door bell is in working order.
  6. Freshly paint or clean the front door. The entrance to the home should be perfect from the finish on the door to the door knob and locks.  If they are dated and can’t be cleaned, then they should be replaced.  
  7. Sweep and clean all sidewalks and pathways.  Make sure no toys, papers or outside tools are left in the walk-ways.
  8. Clear the driveway and clean up oil spills.  Make sure the driveway is always clear of toys, bikes, trash cans and other items.  If there is oil on the driveway, then clean it with some solvent from an auto store or K-mart, then wash it so it is clean of all spills.
  9. Repair and clean all windows.  Replace any cracked or broken windows and make sure they are clean for a well maintained look.
  10. Clean all eaves and drain spouts.  Blocked eaves and drain spouts can lead to damage that will cost more than keeping them clean.  A ladder and either your hand or a small broom can clean them out or you can hire a handyman to do it for you.
  11. Paint exterior areas that need painting.  Peeling or chipped paint should be taken care of for a fresh, well cared look for your home.
  12. Keep the garage door closed.  First impressions are important and even though the garage is an important space, it should not be left open at any time.  You also don’t want people to think they should enter through the garage because it is open.


INTERIOR:

  1. Remove all family photos, trophies, personal crafts, etc.  Personal items such as pictures, trophies with names, homemade crafts, etc. often keep people from being able to visualize the home for themselves and distract from other features of  the home.
  2. Remove clutter from the hallways and staircases. Halls and stairs that are blocked by clutter will cause the buyer to feel the areas are small.  There is also a safety issue.
  3. Use the garage to store any surplus furniture or decor that makes the home look cluttered. 
  4. Clear kitchen clutter off the counters and stove top. Clean fridge and stove (in and out).  Even if the appliances are not included in the sale, they should be clean and in perfect working order. Buyers want to have a kitchen that feels spacious and appears clean and fresh.
  5. Remove empty boxes and containers. These items should also be placed in a the garage until ready to use.
  6. If you don't have a garage and don't want to pay for a storage unit, pick one designated corner in your home to neatly store any excess items that make the rest of the home look cluttered.
  7. Clean all your carpets.  If the carpet needs to be replaced, then do so and make sure it is a neutral color.  If it does not need replacing, then have it cleaned or do it yourself by renting a carpet cleaning machine.
  8. Repair or paint any chipped or dirty walls.  Remember to choose neutral colors when painting your wall’s; not everyone likes the bold colors or blue or red tones.  If all that is needed is to wash the walls, then do the entire wall, not just spots.
  9. Repair any minor damages. (ie: plaster, wallpaper, creaking floor boards, etc.)  If you have wallpaper and the seams are opening up, a small tube of wall paper paste can be purchased at K-Mart or a wallpaper store.  Creaking floor boards need to be repaired.  You may need to hire a flooring person to lift up the flooring to repair the boards if you don’t want to attempt it yourself.  Plaster repairs also may need the attention of an expert.
  10. Repair leaking taps and toilets. 
  11. Repair seals around tubs and basins. If this is needed, you can purchase caulking at a hardware store and replace and repair where needed.
  12. Replace defective light bulbs. If the home is shown when lights are needed, you want to make sure all bulbs are in working order.  Bathrooms and other smaller areas need to be well-lit.
  13. Oil squeaking doors. Check all the doors in the home, including the closets for any squeaking that there might be.  Use a little oil to correct the squeaking.
  14. Add some indoor plants.  Plants add a warm feeling to a home.  Green and flowering plants both work well.


Additional Tips if you are going to have an “OPEN HOUSE”:

  1. If possible, keep all pets out of the house.  Pets need to either be out of the home or in a crate when the home is shown or an open house is planned.  Even the best pet can have an off day and bite someone, and many buyers may be afraid of certain pets.
  2. Make all the rooms in your house smell good.  If you don’t like to bake fresh cookies, just add a cinnamon stick to water and put it in the oven on low for a nice smell or a scented candle always adds a nice aroma.
  3. Clean and clear all table tops, desks, shelves, etc.  Clutter takes away from the features of the home.
  4. Create as much light as possible. Open all blinds and curtains.  The brighter the home the better.  Windows need to be clean, blinds and curtains open and lights on when needed.
  5. Add fresh towels to the bathrooms.  New fresh towels and even small soaps in a soap dish add a lot to the bathrooms.
  6. Turn off all TV’s, computers, etc.  During showings and open houses, TVs and computers should be off.  They tend to take away the attention of the buyer.
  7. Add a little music softly in the background.  Soft music can add relaxation to the buyers mood as they go through the home.
  8. Buy open house signs and put them at each nearby intersection with two balloons around each sign to get optimal results. The goal is to put signs on the busiest streets you can to get the most exposure. Not only do the balloons catch people's attention as they drive by, but they also lets them know that the open house is happening now.
  9. Never hold an open house alone.  You are allowing strangers into your home and it is better to have another person with you.  This person should be another adult, not a child.   Also, have a cell phone with you at all times if possible and an auto dial button for 911.  When showing the home, always have the buyer enter the room ahead of you so that the exit is never blocked.  Open houses can be on any day, not just week-ends, but should always be during the day, with hours that end before dark.