| |
 |
Preparing Your Home to Sell
The first rule of selling a house is to remove your emotions. This is now a business deal and you have to treat it like a marketable commodity and not the place where you raised your kids or spent your 30th birthday.
Walk around the house like a Home Inspector would and check everything mechanical you see. Here’s check list you can use.
Plumbing
1. Do all sinks drain, stoppers work and are fixtures shiny?
2. Is the water pressure good at all faucets?
3. Are there any leaks under the sinks?
Walls & Ceilings
1. Are the walls clean? Sometimes just washing walls by the doors and around corners can make a big difference.
2. Are there any water stains from previous leaks?
3. Does the paint look fresh? Paint can be one of your best investments. It is not very expensive and often you can do it yourself. Choose an off white so the rooms appear bigger and brighter.
Flooring
1. How does the carpet look? Unless the carpet appears worn or is definitely outdated, you probably shouldn’t replace it. Just hire a good carpet cleaner. If you do choose to replace it, pick something inexpensive in a light neutral color.
2. Any broken tiles? Replace broken floor tiles if possible. Don’t spend too much money. You’re not fixing it up for yourself. You simply want to make the best first impression on people coming in.
Doors & Windows
1. Do the doors and windows open easily? If not, WD40 often helps. Make sure there are no cracked or broken window panes. If there are, replace them before you begin showing your home.
2. Do knobs and locks work? Are the door knobs clean?
Odors
1. If you smoke or have animals, there could be odors in your house that you don’t notice. Once the walls are washed or painted and the carpets are cleaned, don’t smoke in the house and maybe leave any animals outside if you can. At the very least, get air-fresheners or use the powder fresheners that can be sprinkled on the carpet.
Landscaping
1. Make sure the grass is watered so it’s as green as possible. Keep the grass cut and trimmed. If there are dead bushes, pull them out or replace them. Remember, the exterior gives the first impression and you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
2. Planting some extra bushes or flowers might spruce things up a bit. Do not put in trees. They are expensive and you will not get any return on your investment.
3. Make sure the back yard is clean. If you have dogs, make sure to pick up after them daily.
4. Swing sets and children’s toys should be removed or at the very least organized.
5. Pool and spas should be clean and maintained.
Exterior
1. Take a good look at your house from a distance. Does the paint look old and faded? Painting is often a very good investment and really cleans up the appearance of the home which could add to the price of the offers you receive.
Front Door & Entry
1. The front door should be especially nice since it’s the first thing you see when coming into the house. You might want to paint it and polish the door knob so it looks extra nice.
2. Remove any cutesy door plaques with the family name. Buyers will not look at the home as theirs with your name on it.
3. Buy a new welcome mat for the front door. Old worn out ones aren’t as inviting.
4. Make sure the locks work easily and the keys fit well. It’s annoying when the Realtor can’t get the key in the lock or the lock to turn. Also, make sure ONE key works all the locks to get in the front door.
Keep the House Clean
1. Keep the kitchen sink clear of dirty dishes.
2. Make all the beds every day.
3. Take the trash out regularly so there are no odors.
4. Keep the bathrooms wiped up and the mirrors clean.
5. Make sure there is no excessive dust.
6. Vacuum and sweep floors regularly.
Lighting
1. When you know someone is coming over, turn on all the lights in the house, even in the china cabinet. Open all drapes and blinds for more light, this makes the house feel homey and bright.
Return to Home Selling Process List
               
|