Prepare your Home for Sale

Every home needs to be prepared for sale. A small investment in time and money can give your home an advantage over competing properties.

Make sure you've done everything you can, inside and out, to make your home as attractive as possible in the eyes of the buyer. Your goal is to make potential buyers fall in love with the house as soon as they see it from the treet.


The following are some suggestions when preparing your home for sale

Curb Appeal

Make Your Home Welcoming!

  • Keep lawns cut
  • Trim hedges and shrubs
  • Weed and edge gardens
  • Clear driveway and clean up oil spills
  • Touch up paint
  • Paint mail box
  • Clean porch and foyer
  • Ensure door bell and exterior light work
  • Seal gutters and clean downspouts
  • If possible, keep front curbside free of parked cars
 You only have
one chance to
make a first
impression

Clean!

A clean home will look more cared

  • Clean each room thoroughly
  • Keep kitchen spotless
  • Thoroughly clean range/oven, refrigerator and other appliances
  • Clean and freshen bathrooms
  • Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains
  • Keep laundry items in closed basket
  • Clean or replace carpets, drapes and window blinds.
  • If the carpet is damaged or old, consider replacing
  • Replace old bedspreads
  • Make sure to remove odors caused by pets, smoking and cooking

Maximize Space

  • Consider holding a garage sale prior to showing your home
  • Remove unnecessary furniture to help make each room appear more spacious
  • Clear halls and stairs of clutter
  • Remove empty boxes and containers
  • Clear out accumulated items from closets, cabinets and under counters
  • Clean out the garage
  • Remove all clutter (garden tools, toys, etc.)

Maintenance

  • Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets
  • Replace faulty wall switches and outlets
  • Touch up paint
  • Clean and repair windows
  • Repair seals around tubs and sinks
  • Replace burned-out light bulbs
  • Oil squeaking doors
  • Tighten loose cabinet knobs
  • Fasten loose tread plates
  • Make repairs where needed
Little problems can
leave a wrong image to
potential buyers
about maintenance
of larger items such
as air conditioned,
pluming, etc.

During Showings

  • Remove toys, tools, valuable and out of place objects
  • Open shades and curtains, and turn on lights
  • Turn on outdoor lighting at nighttime
  • Leave the house. Home buyers feel uncomfortable about opening closet doors and remaining for a really good look at the house if the seller is home.
  • When possible take you pets with you. Pets can scare some people and irritate others.