Preparing your Home for the Market
Your home has only one chance to make a great initial impression with each potential buyer. If it doesn't make a positive first impression, you'll either lose interest from the buyer or not receive the price you're hoping for. The following “tricks of the trade” will help you keep track of what needs to be done. The whole idea is to present a clean, spacious and clutter-free home – the kind of place you would like to buy! Accomplish a little everyday and before long your home will be ready to make the impression that can make the sale.
To help your home’s curb appeal…
- Mow the lawn
- Trim the shrubs
- Edge gardens and walkways
- Weed and mulch
- Sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter or toys
- 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
- Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood
- Touch up exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves
- Clean and remove rust from any window air conditioners
- Paint the front door and mailbox
- Add a new front door mat and consider seasonal door decorations
- Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures, etc.
- Make sure doorbell is in good working order
- Repair broken windows and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have good caulking
General Interior Tips...
- Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors
- Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary
- Clean & wax hardwood floors
- Clean & wash kitchen & bathroom floors
- Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills
- Clean fireplace
- Clean out & organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and items you won’t need again until after you’ve moved
- Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you don’t use: keep papers, toys, etc. picked up.
- 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
In The Living Room…
- Make it cozy & inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
In The Dining Room…
- Set the table for a formal dinner
In The Kitchen…
- Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try baking soda for cleaning 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 a brilliant shine, clean baseboards
- De-clutter all counter space, remove countertop appliances
- Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using before you move
In 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
In The Master Bedroom…
- Organize furnishings to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping and dressing areas
In The Garage…
- Sell, give away or throw out unnecessary items
- Clean oily cement floors
- Provide strong overhead light
- Tidy storage or work areas
In 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 & paint concrete floors & walls
- Provide strong overhead lighting
