News and Events
May 16, 2008
What should I do to get my home ready to sell?
The best thing you can
do to get your home in shape for selling is to make certain it is clean both
inside and out, uncluttered, and in good repair. If this means hiring help, do it!! It will be money well spent!
First, declutter! The
object is to make your home as new-appearing and spacious as possible.
Straighten cupboards and closets, remove the clutter, pack away excess
decorations and neatly store them or remove to a rented storage space. This
includes the garage and yard. If you have difficulty with determining what
“clutter” is, there are professional staging services to help you with
this. The idea is to make your home as
universally appealing as possible.
Second, clean! It is extremely
important to put your home in as good of condition as possible. This means it
must be thoroughly cleaned both inside and out. Try to make it like new again!
Your home needs to shine, look and smell good if you want to attract an offer.
Once the general cleaning is done, remember the windows! A bright sunny home is
welcoming and attractive to buyers.
Next, walk around each
room looking for needed repairs. Are the walls clean? Do they need washing or
painting? Are the carpets/flooring clean? Do they need to be replaced? Are the
appliances working and clean? Are there any plumbing or electrical
problems? How about the front yard…are
the bushes trimmed? Is the front door in good condition? Does it need painting or replaced? What about the siding & roof…any repairs
needed there? There may be little things
that have been put off that now need to be done so they aren’t a turn off for a
prospective buyer.
The condition of your
home affects not only how appealing it is to a buyer, but also how quickly it will
sell and at what price. You will not get a second chance to make a first
impression, and a little effort to put your home in its best condition before
you list it for sale will be well worth it.
