Preparing Your Home for the Market

A few great tips on creating an atmosphere that will impress buyers and make them want to buy your home. Remember that you’ll never get another chance to make a first impression. The first impressions are what count! Follow these simple tips and create the competitive edge that may help you sell your home more quickly.

Drive-up Appeal

• Trim trees and shrubs, clean out flower beds free from weeds, paint the front door if there are obvious paint defects, make sure doorbell is working properly, wash the mailbox, keep the porch swept and get an attractive mat for people to wipe their feet.

Absolute Basics

• Start by airing out the home. Most people are turned off by even the smallest odor. Odors must be eliminated, especially those caused by dogs and cats; soiled diapers and/or cigarettes.

• Wash all the windows in the home, inside and out.

• If it has been over a year since the carpets have been cleaned, now is the time to have them cleaned. Bare floors should also be waxed or polished if necessary.

• Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like bright & cheery.

• Clean out or organize closets, cabinets and drawers. Closets should look like they have enough room to hold additional items. Get everything off the floor and don’t have the shelves piled to the ceiling.

• Make sure rooms are not overcrowded with furniture. Select pieces that look best, and store the rest if possible.

• Keep the kitchen sparkling clean. Keep all cleaning supplies out of plain view. Make sure all appliances are clean at all times. Straighten cupboards that appear cluttered and keep floors gleaming.

• Bathtubs, showers and sinks should be clean. Keep all cleaning supplies out of plain view. The grout should be clean and in good condition. There should be no leaks in the faucet or traps.

A few more suggestions…

• If you have limited counter space in the kitchen, keep unnecessary items put away.

• Keep children’s toys out of the front yard, sidewalks, front porch and off the patios.

• Clean the ashes out of the fireplace and make show ready.

• Make sure that the any pull-down staircase to the attic is working correctly. Be sure there is a light in the attic if possible.

• The pool needs to be sparkling and free of leaves.