Getting your home ready for sale
When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well – which means clutter-free, extremely tidy and well kept. You MUST always keep it in this condition as showings can happen at ANY time without much notice. Sometimes a buyer and their agent may be driving through the neighborhood and see the sign and call to see if they can have immediate access.
Curb appeal
I covered curb appeal in a previous post titled How to Improve Curb Appeal for a quick sale. When it comes to curb appeal you have to ask yourself what is the home saying on the outside? It’s a fact that potential buyers often make up their minds in the first few minutes. How the home presents itself from the road can make or break the sale.
Enhancing your home’s appearance can range from small tasks like weeding and mowing lawns and minor landscaping, to large remodeling projects such as replacing decks, walkways and driveways or even siding. Freshly mowed grass and flowerbeds with newly turned soil make a great first impression.
Depersonalize your home
Put away family photos, souvenirs, crafts made by your kids and pictures from the fridge, knick-knacks and any other personal items. These items are special to you and your family, but the prospective buyer wants to envision their own personal items in your space. So, help them out. PUT IT IN STORAGE IF YOU HAVE TO!!!!
Remodel dated bathrooms
Do you have a green toilet in one of your bathrooms? If so this is for you. A nice bath helps sell a house but, don’t invest in a total renovation. Renos are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor doppelganger. Bring an out-of-date bath up to speed with a new WHITE toilet, pedistal sink, gleaming white walls whether via a fresh coat of white bath and kitchen paint or ceramic tile and new lighting (Home Depot excels at affordable, stylish bathroom vanity lighting). Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses and showings.
Tips on making your house stand out
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
- Clean out cobwebs.
- Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
- Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
- Clean out the refrigerator.
- Vacuum daily.
- Wax floors.
- Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
- Bleach dingy grout.
- Replace worn rugs.
- Hang up fresh towels.
- Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
- Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
If you have any questions about these or would like more tips on selling your home please contact me at 441-7714 or you can fill out the contact form at the link below.
| Look for cracks, water seepage, efflorescence (white powder-like substance), crumbling mortar or concrete, and rotting wood. If any of these problems are present, you need to do further research to learn about causes and possible solutions. | |
| If your basement is damp or musty, consider using a dehumidifier. | |
| Like all other areas of your home, your basement should be organized and clutter-free. | |
| Change the filters in the furnace and have it cleaned–this is the number one item purchasers want done after a home inspection. | |
| If you have a pet with a litterbox, ensure the litterbox is cl |
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When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is maybe competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well – which means coal, very neat and well kept. You must always keep it in this state as showings can happen at ANY time without much notice.