Preparing Your Home For Sale
TIPS ON PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE
Provided by Allen & Teresa Stowinsky
THE FIRST IMPRESSION COUNTS. . . Make it a Positive One!
The most important single reason that a home sells is its Emotional Appeal. Over 90% of buyers in today’s market buy on emotion. Looking at your house through “buyer’s eyes” can help you prepare your home to sell for the best price, in the least amount of time. When you begin preparing your home, begin outside and work your way in. Make up a “to do” list as you go along, keeping in mind the importance of first impressions.
EXTERIOR
It’s estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before buyers even get out of their cars. Stand across the street from your home and review its “curb appeal”. What can you do to improve the very first impression?
• Keep sidewalks and patios swept. Hose down house siding to remove cobwebs and dirt. Clean your driveway of any grease spots.
• Mow, trim, weed, and water lawns and gardens. Add a fresh layer of bark or gravel if needed and plant flowers for color.
• The front door is one of the first things prospective buyers see. If it shows signs of wear — clean it, stain, it, or paint it.
• Make sure the doorbell and porch lights work.
• Remove trash and debris from the yard and around house.
• Remove extra vehicles from view.
• Repair any fences or gates.
• Remove holiday lights that may still be hanging.
• Freshen exterior paint where needed. Pay special attention to wood trim.
INTERIOR
When showing your home to prospective buyers you want to make everything look spacious, organized, bright, warm, and “homey.” Start with a full housecleaning from top to bottom. When a home is clean, it gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Some fresh paint and a one-time professional cleaning service can make your house look like new. Don’t let dirt and clutter obscure your home’s good points. A clean home will sell a lot faster than a dirty one.
• Be sure walls are clean and free of dirt and fingerprints — Consider a fresh coat of paint if washing doesn’t do the trick.
• Wash all windows and sills. Make sure curtains and drapes are clean.
• Arrange furniture to make rooms appear spacious and attractive.
• Replace any burned out light bulbs.
• Discard or replace any dying houseplants.
• Be sure every room smells as good as it looks, paying special attention to pet areas, children’s nurseries and bathrooms.
• Polish all mirrors, brass and chrome fixtures.
• Scrub and wax floors.
• Clean and deodorize carpets. If your carpet looks worn, consider replacing it, you may not recover the cost but your home may sell faster.
• Clean sliding door track so that the door moves quietly and smoothly.
KITCHEN & BATH
The bathrooms and kitchen are focal points for buyers. Be sure those rooms are clean and clear of clutter.
• Clear extra appliances, accessories, etc. from counters.
• Polish sinks and remove stains.
• Clean appliances thoroughly inside and out.
• Clean out your cabinets and drawers and make them look as organized as possible.
• Buy a new shower curtain —you can always take it with you when you move.
DECLUTTER
Eliminating clutter will give your home a more spacious look. By removing or storing things you don’t need, you create a roomy, comfortable feeling that will be inviting to prospective buyers. If a house is too cluttered, buyers have trouble imagining themselves and their belongings in it. Remember, when in doubt—move it out!
• Clean out closets to display their roominess. Prospective buyers love to inspect for storage space, so it’s important to make whatever closets you have look as spacious as possible.
• Have a garage sale! Not only will you be reducing clutter, but you can use the money you earn to finance your touch-ups.
• Straighten bookshelves and remove unnecessary papers from coffee tables.
• In children’s rooms, straighten or store extra toys and remove distracting posters.
• If you have a spare room or storage area, turn it into an area with a purpose. If it’s too small to be a bedroom, turn it into a hobby center, study or office.
• Consider renting storage space to move out items you won’t need before you move.
REPAIRING TIPS
Making little repairs can make a big difference. Although many families learn to live with a broken doorknob or a cracked window—all of these little things should be fixed when selling your home. The savvy homeowner concentrates his efforts on cosmetic repairs that cost relatively little but return a lot on the investment (don’t forget those first impressions!).
• Repair leaking faucets, running toilets, grout, and caulking as needed.
• Replace any cracked windows and torn screens.
• Patch and paint wall and ceiling cracks.
• Repair or replace loose doorknobs, drawer pulls, sticking doors and windows, warped drawers, cabinet handles, towel racks, switch plates and outlet covers.
• Tack down any loose molding and glue down any lifted wallpaper.
NEUTRALIZING DECOR
Try to create an appearance that allows the buyers to picture themselves living there. Neutral paint, decor and carpeting create a home for any life style.
• Eliminate distracting colors and accessories so that buyers can concentrate on positive impressions.
• Brighten things with fresh paint. White, off-white, or beige walls make a room look bigger and lighter. Interior painting costs very little, and it can make a big difference in buyer perception—so go ahead and do it.
Getting Ready to Sell
DON’T OVER IMPROVE
Preparing your home for sale doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming, as long as you keep up with normal maintenance. In the event you do not have the time to do the cleaning or repair work, consider hiring a professional: it could save you time and money later. Remember, you need to think like a buyer now and have a critical eye. Use caution in planning any major improvements that you think will enable you to get more for the house than you paid for it. Focus on fresh, clean, move-in ready and let the buyers plan their own major changes.
