When you’re ready to list your house for sale, the real work starts before you even call the realtor. Adequate preparation before you put up a sign in your yard can make a world of difference in the success of your sale. Just as you might dress up to go to a party or head out on a date, your home should get a little TLC before it is shown to potential buyers. Use these tips to help show off your homes best assets:
From the Outside – In
We all judge books by their covers and we all judge homes by their curb appeal. A potential buyer might not even step foot inside if they drive up to cracked windows, broken doors and more weeds than grass. Start with a thorough exterior cleaning including scrubbing down the stucco or siding. Repair the fence, mailbox, shutters, or windows. A fresh coat of paint on the front door can make a big difference to onlookers. Plant some fresh flowers, mow the lawn, add a chair or two to the patio area, make sure your grass is green, and the driveway and walkways are inviting and appealing.
Neutralize the Space
You want your home to appeal to a wide range of buyers, so it’s important to keep décor and paint as neutral as possible. Simplify your décor, especially large or overbearing pieces that may not appeal to everyone. Put away the spider cages, reptile tank, or porcelain doll collection. Take special care to neutralize the master bedroom so that is appeals to both sexes. Replace gender-specific décor, paint and decorate in a neutral color with complementing accessories.
De-Clutter
Tasteful home décor can help sell a home, but too much overdone décor can detract from the house itself. Keep only what is absolutely necessary for living in your home. The average home can cut the clutter, décor, and personal items by 60 percent. Buyers should see your square footage, not your personal belongings.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Buyers can’t focus on a home that has crumbs in the carpet, dog hair on the furniture and grimy bathroom walls. Make the process a party and invite over a few close family or friends to help. Carpet cleaners are relatively inexpensive to rent and can make a big difference in the look, feel, and smell of your home. If you are incapable or unable to complete a thorough deep clean, hire it done by a professional and then keep it clean until it sells.
Don’t Hide Your Stash in the Closets
Potential buyers will open every closet you have, so it’s not a space to hide your skeletons. Clear out unnecessary clutter, and organize the space to show off how much storage you really have. The best place to temporarily store superfluous belongings is by renting a small storage unit, utilizing friends and family with extra space, or store a few things in your outdoor camper trailer.
Keep Odors in Check
You might be immune to the odors in your home, so ask a good friend or honest family member to give you an honest evaluation. Buyers are super sensitive to odd odors, pet smells, or offensive potpourri. Often, a good deep cleaning, including cleaning carpets can eliminate many odors. For an added benefit, grind a lemon in the garbage disposal before each showing.
Let Your Light Shine
Natural light makes everything look better, so bring in as much light as possible to show buyers your best side. Before each showing, open every window and turn on every light and lamp in the house. Light and airy living rooms look bigger and cleaner, so avoid looking dark and dingy.
Give Each Room a Purpose
Buyers get confused by “bonus rooms” or spare rooms filled with storage. Clean out the storage and stage each room with a purpose. If it is an office, it should have a computer desk, bookcase, and nothing else. If it is a workout room, move out the desk and keep the treadmill clutter free. If your kids have moved out and their old rooms are filled with boxes, take out a few things and stage them as a child’s bedroom simply to help buyers visualize the space better.
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