Prepare Your Home For Sale
New sellers often ask me what will be the most effective way to prepare their homes for sale. Often if they have lived in their home for many years they may have focused on projects that may not provide the best return on time or money investment.
Home preparation is so important it’s become it’s own industry with “staging” firms offering rapid interior redesigns that highlight the best aspects of your house while deemphasizing the less attractive…
Tips for Home Sale Preparation
- First impressions…
Just like meeting a stranger or a job interview – the initial seconds are critical to make a good impression. Improve your house’s curb appeal by removing any litter, gardening tools, or toys that tend to get left in the front yard. Trim and edge the lawn. Turn old weed infested flower beds and cover with fresh mulch. If you’re showing a home during the rainy season look out for overflowing gutters and standing water around the property. Pressure wash mossy patios and walkways. - Remove the clutter…
Hide or remove trinket collections, magazines, wall hangings that tend to collect over time – use a critical eye! Open up floor space by removing extra furniture and houseplants. - Group furniture…
This creates a cozy feeling and better flow for prospects walking through during an open house event. A throw rug surrounded by a chair, sofa, and side table is an inviting center for the room. - Warm lighting feels inviting…
Make sure all bulbs are working above bathroom mirrors and light fixtures. - Fill and touch up damage to walls…
Removing picture hangings and moving furniture can take a toll on the condition of your walls and make a home feel “beat up.” Take the time to patch holes with drywall repair and touch up with a fresh coat of paint. - Apply some elbow grease to the kitchen and bathrooms…
Cabinet faces and areas around the stove top can accumulate stains and grease over time. Make an effort to wash it away with de-greaser and a good scrub. Mold and mildew in the bathrooms needs to be zapped too!
All these tips are very low cost and mainly require some thoughtful interior design and cleaning skills to accomplish. And they will go a long way towards making your house more appealing and more likely to sell!