If you’re sure you want to move, this will make your home easier to sell. If you’re just toying with the idea, take the steps anyway. You may find that once you’ve done this work, you’ve fallen in love with your home all over again.
Clean your house from top to bottom. Forgive us if it sounds like nagging, but honestly, this is the most effective way to get the most money for your house, and to sell it as quickly as possible. Do it yourself, or have it done, but just do it.
- Clean and organize the closets
- Wash the windows
- Clean out and organize the garage and any other outbuildings
- Clean up the yard, dispose of trash, put away toys, garden tools, yard equipment
- Clean off the basement and attic stairs; clean and organize the basement and attic; air out any musty smell
- Eliminate pet, smoking or cooking odors
- Steam-clean carpets; wash floors, wax if needed
- Wash or paint walls
Tip for the sentimental: If you are attached to your home, now is the time to take pictures of the rooms as you lived in them. This will help you start to let go, and feel ready to move on.
Eliminate clutter. We know. It’s not clutter; it’s your stuff and you like it. But it’s time to start packing, right? You don’t want the house looking small, because there’s too much furniture; or crowded, because there are just too many things around; or permanently occupied, because family photos and memorabilia make it hard for buyers to imagine themselves living in the space. If you don’t have time to make decisions on what to pack and what to toss, put it all in storage, along with any excess or worn furniture. You’re sure to recoup the cost when the house is sold.
Make your house welcoming. Open the curtains (replace if necessary), and let the light in. Turn on some interior lights and perhaps a radio quietly tuned to a classical station. Have the kitchen sinks and counters clear and clean; add flowers or flowering plants. Make sure bathrooms are spotless; replace shower curtain, guest towels, and throw rugs if necessary.
Establish a focal point in each room, whether it’s a flowering plant, a special rug, a painting or a fireplace mantel. Look at the rooms as a buyer might; you want them inviting and interesting.
Curb Appeal. Let’s go outside and take a look. First impressions count, because buyers often drive by to see if they like the looks of a house before they’ll schedule a showing. And those that do come for a closer look, often make up their minds in seconds after they arrive.
The front door. Give it a fresh coat of paint. Check out the front porch or steps, and any windows or door hardware. Do they look clean and cared for? Make sure the outside lights work, and leave them on in the evening. House numbers should be easy to read. Keep barn, shed or garage doors closed.
Landscaping. Keep trees and shrubs pruned, and the lawn mowed. Edge garden beds and freshly mulch them. Put a pot of flowers near the entry as a bright spot of color.
Repairs. Make any minor repairs and paint touch-up before listing the house for sale. Repair broken windows, electrical outlets and lights that don’t work. Pay special attention to the bathrooms and kitchen.
Tip for the sentimental: Now’s the time to take pictures of the outside of your home, because it’s at its best, and that’s how you’ll want to remember it.
All this takes work, but it pays off. Collectively we’ve sold thousands of houses, and we’ve seen the difference careful preparation can make. We are happy to come by individually or as a team to offer advice if needed.
