Getting Your Home Ready To Show...and Sell!
It
is important that your home is ready for showing. There is currently
a large inventory of homes on the market, so make yours stand out.
Here are some basic simple suggestions.
Clear
out what you can.
Pre-pack those items you don’t use in all areas of your home.
This will make your home look and feel more spacious.
De-clutter.
While homes that are decorated make it easier for a home buyer to visualize
themselves in a property, to much can also distract.
Touch
up the paint or repaint any areas that show ware. Keep
in mind if you have bold colors or wallpaper, they may need to be removed
or redone to a more neutral tones to appeal to more buyers.
Fix
and finish.
If you have things that you know are in the need of repair, or any projects
that need completed, finish them up. It is important to address it now
so buyers get a good first impression.
Cleaning.
Make sure all areas of your home sparkle. Homes are meant to be lived
in, but during this time on the market, extra care in making sure the
kitchen, bathrooms are clean, beds made and living areas picked up can
make the difference. This is the time to clean the carpets and wash
the windows!
Leave
when you can.
All buyers will be accompanied by licensed Real Estate agents and they
will spend more time and feel more at ease looking around if you are
not present.
Turn
on lights and open the window coverings whenever possible before a showing.
1.
Plan Ahead
__
Walk through each room and criticize the home from a buyer’s perspective
__ Consider getting a professional home inspection and making necessary
repairs.
__ Hold a yard sale. Sell, donate or trash anything you don’t
need.
2. Clean. Declutter and Depersonalize
__ Thoroughly clean
the entire home.
__ Scrub tile in the kitchen and bathrooms.
__ Clean hardwood floors.
__ Steam clean carpets and drapes.
__ Get rid of all dust bunnies.
__ Repair cracks and holes in the walls.
__ Paint interior walls with neutral colors, like beige, cream.
__ Remove excess and oversized furniture.
__ Rearrange furniture to maximize space.
__ Organize room closets and store out-of-season clothes.
__ Remove all small appliances, toys, magazines and pet items.
__ Remove family photos, personal collections and medications.
__ Remove items from garage and store them off-site.
__ Secure valuable items, including cash and jewelry.
3. Maximize
Curb Appeal
__ Paint the homes’s
exterior, including trim, doors and shutters.
__ Power wash
the siding and windows.
__ Inspect
the roof and make repairs as needed.
__ Repair
cracks in the driveway and sidewalks.
__ Sweep the
entryway and walkways.
__ Mow, water
and fertilize the lawn.
__ Trim shrubs
and trees and rake the leaves.
__ Plant colorful
flowers.
__ Store any
toys or equipment lying on the yard.
__ Clean up
pet droppings.
__ Clean the
gutters and downspouts.
4. Pay Attention
to Kitchens and Bathrooms
__ Mop and wax/polish
the floors.
__ Clear the countertops.
__ Replace outdated hardware.
__ Clean appliances and fixtures.
__ Clean and organize the pantry, cabinets and drawers.
__ Replace old caulking around sinks and bathtubs.
__ Remove stains from sinks, toilets and bathtubs.
__ Keep all toilet seats lids closed.
__ Hand fresh towels.
5. Appeal
to the senses
__ Bake cookies
or burn scented candles.
__ Install higher wattage incandescent light bulbs to brighten rooms.
__ Turn on all the lights.
__ Open windows to let in fresh air.
__ Open curtains or blinds to let in natural light and show off views.
__ Turn off TV’s
__ Relocate pets on the day of the open house.
__ Refrain from smoking in the home.
6. Show
off Your Home’s Best Features
__ Remove rugs to
show off hardwood floors.
__ Pull back drapes to showcase nice views.
__ Stage the front porch or patio with furniture and potted plants.
__ Make sure fireplaces are in working condition.
__ Clean pool area.
Call
for a complimentary no obligation appointment to see what Busch Realty
can do for you.
