Prepare Your House To Sell

Get ready – start outside! Stand across the street and take a look at your home from a potential buyer’s viewpoint

1. Too many cars parked in front?
2. Is the lawn trimmed and are spots in need of re-seeding? Get landscaping in top shape. In the winter, is the driveway and pathways shoveled clear of snow?
3. Remove all refuse, leaves or clutter from yards, sidewalks, porches and decks. In the summer, plant and have flowers.
4. Is your fencing straight? Does it need stain or paint?
5. Does any part of the house, trim, decks, gates and front door need painted? Remember, when a buyer comes to look at your house, the first thing he sees is your front door.
6. In the summer, wash screens and windows outside and buy things that will enhance the house for showings that you can take with you, ie. A new welcome mat, big potted plants for inside, pots of geraniums for the patio or deck.

Freshen up the inside. The emotions you are trying to stimulate are triggered by sensory experiences. Aim for the senses, especially smell and sight. Clean, fresh smelling homes will sell faster.

1. Badly faded walls or worn woodwork reduce appeal – selective painting will help to add a fresh look.
2. Dress up windows in freshly laundered curtains. Colorful curtains in harmony with countertops and floors add warmth to kitchens, baths, etc.
3. Check all light bulbs and detail all light fixtures.
4. Are the oven ranges and sink clear and neat?
5. Take things out of closets and cabinets that are not essential to your life and pack them away.
6. Remove unnecessary articles, which have accumulated in basements, utility and storage areas.
7. Clear stairways and hallways to open them up.
8. Too much furniture? Put it in the basement, garage or better yet, store or sell it.
9. Brighten dull basements and storage areas by painting the walls and using high watt bulbs.
10. Bathrooms that sparkle sell homes and the opposite is true, too – dirty baths can turn off a buyer.
11. New towels are an excellent investment.
12. Does the interior need painted? $100 worth of paint may balance $500 in a price cut. Make rooms sparkle.
13. Keep all steps clear of hazards.
14. Have all light sockets filled with bulbs. Illumination is like a welcome sign.
15. Wash dishes, put away clothes, straighten up newspapers, etc.
16. Does the carpet need cleaning or replacing?
17. Are all the appliances clean and in good working order?
18. Remove and replace an ornate item that a buyer may want as part of the house that you intend to keep, for example, a special chandelier.
    Minor repairs make sense. Get all those minor flaws fixed since they detract from your home’s value. Don’t make major changes, except for new carpeting and new paint (in a neutral color).
19. Dripping faucets lead buyers to question the plumbing system.
20. Fix all loose doorknobs, sticking drawers and doors.
21. Fix all caulking, especially in the bathrooms.
22. In general, if it’s busted – fix it.

The hard part will be keeping up appearances as long as your house is for sale. Go through this checklist at least every other day to make sure that your home is tidy.