Get Your Home Ready To Sell
In preparing your house to sell, ask yourself over and over if your house looks like
someone else's dream house. Houses in move-in condition tend to be inviting to buyers;
houses that are in like-new condition typically sell fastest and procures the best price
because it outshine the competition.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider as you look over your house when
getting ready to sell:
Exterior
Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the time you have to create a good first
impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the
house, and remove dead plants. It will probably be easier to sell your house if the buyer
can see it, outside and in. Pick up tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building
materials and store them neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean all windows and
mend torn screens. Paint your house, if necessary. This can probably help improve curb
appeal more than any other fix-up! If you decide against painting the entire house, at
least consider painting the front door, window frames, and shutters. Seal or resurface
the driveway and repair broken steps and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and
post. Dress up the front yard with some simple landscaping.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were seeing it for the first time.
Every room should be neat, spotlessly clean, dusted, and uncluttered. Steam clean the
carpets and wax the floors. Wash the walls, windows, and light fixtures. Tighten loose
stair railings and clean all woodwork. In the event that you feel a project of this
magnitude is better left to a professional, ask your real estate agent to recommend a
professional cleaning service.
Entryway
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Fill the house with a
pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer or cinnamon in the winter, or some other
fresh scent.
Living Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It costs money, but you may find that you will more
than recoup that cost when the home sells. Patch cracks and nail holes in the walls, and
repaint walls in neutral colors, such as white or ivory. Nail down creaking boards and
stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Open all curtains, and replace
them if they are getting old. Add lamps and lighting if the house is dark. Set out fresh
flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms look more spacious. Discard worn
furniture and move extra furniture to a storage unit. Remember, too much furniture and
too many knick-knacks make rooms look cluttered and small. One or two decorative
items per surface is plenty, so pack the rest away. Visit model homes for decorating
ideas.
Kitchen and Baths
These rooms should sparkle! Clear off counters, and clean all appliances and fixtures.
Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk tubs and showers. Clean these rooms thoroughly,
and be sure they smell fresh!
Closets
Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway when you move.
Organize shelves and straighten shoes. Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly on
their tracks and knobs on drawers are secure.
Utility Room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust and wash off the water heater.
Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace wallpaper with white or off-white
paint, and repaint shabby or dark walls. Open the blinds, and replace broken windows
and window seals. Always maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house, even if
you are away for an extended period of time.