Preparing your home for sale...
Be as objective as possible when “walking” the home with your Realtor in preparation for listing it for sale. Pretend that you are a buyer seeing the home for the first time and take notes. Your agent will guide you through the process of determining which projects, if any, make the most sense when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Remember, FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT.
Curb Appeal:
Remember that the buyer should want to get out of the car. A freshly mowed lawn and mulch or pine straw free of weeds will paint a picture for the buyer that the inside is just as nice. Take a look at the front door and steps. If the home needs a fresh coat of paint a buyer may consider it a major objection to purchasing the home. Pressure wash and remove debris from walkways and decks. Keep tools, bikes and toys neatly stored.
Inside Matters:
Eliminate closet clutter and tidy up each room. If the carpet is worn or old, consider replacing it. Pay particular attention to kitchen and bathrooms. Make them squeaky clean! Remove unnecessary furniture to help make the rooms appear larger. Replace furnace filters to minimize dust accumulation on furniture. Make sure that the doors and windows open and close properly. Clean the windows.
Mood Magic:
Open the blinds and curtains to allow natural light during the day. If your home doesn’t get enough natural light during the day, leave on lamps in strategic areas. A well lit home is inviting and gives an air of spaciousness.
Paint and Other Colors:
Rooms with soft, neutral colors appeal to a broader range of potential buyers. Bright trendy colors, while popular, may limit the potential for a quick sale. You might notice that builders will typically use beige or nearly beige walls in all speculative inventory to appeal to more buyers. This provides the buyer with a clean palate as they visualize living in your house.
Pets:
Keep pets out of the way when your home is being shown. Give specific instructions to your agent or others showing your home to ensure the safety of your potential buyer and your pets.
