Getting ReadyTo Market Your Home
To get the
highest price possible for your home, it
has to show really well. Be sure you prepare your home for sale. Walk
through your home with a pad and pen and think like a buyer. What catches your
attention as “not quite right”? Repair and replace everything that detracts
from the way it shows…
1. Clean, clean, clean. Be sure to clean every nook and cranny. Don’t forget overlooked areas,
such as dusting the fireplace mantel and ceiling fan blades, polishing
appliances and faucets, and washing the windows. If you’re too busy to do a
thorough cleaning, consider hiring a cleaning service.
2. Pay close attention to smells. Walk into each room and take a deep
breath. Does it smell fresh and clean? If you have pets, be sure to clean the
carpets and the floors thoroughly. Don’t cook anything with a strong smell like
fish or bacon the day of or the day before a showing.
3. Declutter. You want buyers to focus on how awesome
your space is, not how messy or cluttered it is. Remove that pile of shoes from
the entryway. Store away that stack of mail on the kitchen counter. Remove
anything else that detracts from your home’s gorgeous features.
4. Repaint in neutral colors. As much as you love your dramatic red
dining room, it could turn off a good portion of your potential buyers. Repaint
neutral tones such as grays, tans, and whites that allow buyers to focus on the
spaces, not the color of the walls.
5. Keep the decor simple. To help buyers imagine themselves in
your space, get rid of any statement art or decor that might turn people off.
6. Store your personal items. Buyers want to be able to envision
themselves in your home, so remove anything overly personal, such as the
gallery wall of family photos or your kids’ artwork on the fridge.
7. Get rid of bulky furniture. Your furniture should fit the scale of
the room, so get rid of any extra or oversized items that could make your space
look smaller than it really is. For example, if you have a huge sectional in
your family room, consider breaking it up and use just the main sofa portion.
8. Organize your closets. Storage space is a huge selling point,
and if your closets are stuffed to the brim, buyers will think you don’t have
enough of it. Invest in some boxes, dividers, and organize your space removing
items you can store away while your house is being shown.
9. Tackle that honey-do list. All those little things you’ve been
meaning to do but never got around to? Do them. Buyers will notice minor flaws,
and they will detract from the value of your home. Set aside a weekend to tighten those loose
doorknobs, fix that leaky faucet, and paint over the scuffs from when you first
moved in your sofa.
10. Boost curb appeal. Make sure your home’s exterior looks
excellent. Trim shrubs, weed and mulch flower beds, remove and refresh any
peeling paint, and keep the walkway clear. That first impression goes a long
way.
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