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When Selling a Home

Preparing Your Home to Sell

     For most people, their home is their largest asset.  Therefore, preparing your home for sale is a very worthwhile investment in time and energy.  Increasing the attractiveness and cleanliness of your home, will greatly decrease the time it takes for you to get an offer and will allow you to achieve top market value.

     People usually decide within two minutes whether they like your house.  The first impression is often the lasting impression.  And they start forming their opinion before they even walk in the front door!

     Here are some time-tested tips to make your home more presentable.  A good rule to follow is to do cosmetic things, which will improve your chances of selling, but avoid making major changes unless they will increase the value of your home more than the cost of the improvement.

     Approach your present home the way others will view it during a showing.  Look at your home keeping these ideas in mind.  Not all of these items are necessary for every home, but this list should give you specific areas to concentrate on from a prospective buyers view.

     Do you need to do a little fix-up before you sell?  Here is a link to a site that is chock full of answers to your home improvement, repair, and handyman questions:   

Home Improvement Encyclopedia

Outside:

• Clean the front porch area.  Cobwebs and dead bugs tend to gather in this area.

• Remove any clutter or debris from around the house.

• In the winter, walks should be free of snow and ice.

• Prune overgrown shrubs.  Pull any weeds.  Plant flowers near the front door.

• Water and fertilize your lawn to keep it green.

• Inspect the front door.  Could it use a fresh coat of paint?  Add brass accents, such as a new doorknob, house numbers and a kick plate.

• Make any necessary repairs, paint exterior if needed.

• Inspect the roof and gutters.  Any missing shingles to replace?  Gutters and down spouts in place?

Kitchen & Baths:

• Extra elbow grease is required in these areas. 

• Remove all magnets, notes and artwork from the refrigerator.

• Keep fresh towels in the bathrooms.

• Counters and fixtures should be sparkling clean.

• Polish chrome faucets and handles in the tub and sinks.

• Use wood cleaners and polish on cabinets.

• Repair dripping faucets.

• Remove every unnecessary item from every countertop.  Store seldom-used small appliances and large baking pans.  Clean counters make the room look larger.

• Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen.  Clean the oven.  Replace burner drip pans on the stove.                    

Living Areas:

• Replace all burned-out light bulbs with maximum light-producing bulbs.

• Make the floors shine; clean and polish them.

• Have the carpets professionally cleaned. 

• All clothing, shoes, hats, accessories, toys, tools, papers, magazines, books and personal items not contributing to the décor of the room should be stored neatly in closets and drawers.

• Sort through your closets and cupboards.  Donate to a charity everything you don’t want to move to your next home.  Start packing seldom used items.

• Strongly consider renting a storage facility for excess furniture, packed boxes, and unused items; such as a treadmill.

• Check to see that all windows will open and close.

• If you have a fireplace, clean it out and place logs in it to make it look inviting.

• All windows should be in good repair with no cracks or broken seals.

• All windows should be spotlessly clean.  Window sills should be clean and free of any flaking or loose paint.

• Screens should be clean and in good condition, free of rust and holes.

• Make minor repairs; tighten loose knobs, lubricate squeaky hinges, nail down any creaking boards or stair treads, replace dirty filters, remove any stains. 

• Have all drywall/plaster in top shape.  Repair cracks & nail-pops.

• Check ceilings for leak stains.  Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling and paint.

• Consider your personal décor, neutralize the home by painting the walls white or off-white – if necessary.                                         

Basement, Attic, Garage:

• Make sure there is plenty of light on the stairs to the basement.

• Clean out the attic, basement and garage.  Dispose of everything you are not going to move.  Box everything you won't need until you're settled in your new home.  And move the boxes to your storage facility, or stack neatly in the garage or basement.

• If your basement is dark and gloomy, consider painting the ceilings and walls a light color.

• Remove heavy oil stains from the garage floor and driveway.

• Park a camper, boat, or an extra car at another location.

                         It's ShowTime!

     Prior to every showing, prepare your home to sparkle and welcome your prospective buyers.

Before the Showing:

• Be especially aware of household odors caused by pets, smoking and/or cooking.

• Refrain from cooking food that creates noxious cooking odors.  

• Clear the sink and kitchen of dirty dishes.  

• Remove every unnecessary item from every counter top

• Kitchen and bath areas should sparkle.

• Put out your best guest towels in the baths.

• Make sure all the furniture is dust free.

• Vacuum/damp mop all flooring surfaces.  

• Open blinds and shades to let in the most light.  

• Make sure the beds are made and all dirty clothing is stored out of sight.

• Return all toys to their proper storage area.

• Place a vase of freshly cut flowers on the table.

• Remove pets from the home, if possible, or confine outdoors.

• If you smoke, only smoke outside.

• Turn on a light in every room.

• Tune several radios, on low volume, to the same soothing station.

• For evening showings, be sure to have a porch light and any outdoor lighting turned on at night.

During the Showing:                                                                                                          

• Leave the premises prior to the showing.

• It is best to avoid conversations with prospective buyers.

Insist that all discussions about your home be handled by your broker.

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