Prepare Your Home for Sale

Once you have decided to sell your home and before listing it on the market there are 7 basic areas to check. These are things that will make you home seem well maintained when a potential buyer looks at your house. These can also eliminate problems that may arise once you have an offer and the buyer is getting a home inspection. They often require a little time and not much money, but can have a huge pay off in the final selling price you receive. These can be broken down into 7 basic areas; Landscape/Outdoors, Building Exterior, Garage & Storage Spaces, Living Areas, Kitchens, Baths, and Closets.

7 Basics for Preparing Your Home for Sale

This list will give you things to look at in your home as if you were the buyer. Looking at these through a buyer’s eye can help you see the importance of making these improvements. If you have a hard time viewing your home as a buyer, ask a good friend or neighbor to help out. Be sure to check the following 7 areas for these basic fixes;

Landscape/Outdoors – This is the first thing a buyer will see so check to make sure there are no dead plants or spots in the lawn. Replace dead spots in the lawn with fresh sod. Think about planting some flowering plants to provide color. Pull weed from the sidewalk, patio and driveway. Any outside furniture should be clean and inviting.

Building Exterior – This again is one of the first things a buyer will see. So touch the paint if needed, a fresh coat of paint on the front door will go a long way towards impressing the buyer. Clean the windows, and remove the screens to let in as much light as possible. Repair any loose trim, gutters and down spouts. Make sure the entrance is clutter free and inviting.

Garage and Storage space – If you have a garage make sure you can fit your car in there and easily open the car doors to get out. Clean the floor of any oil or other fluid leaks from your car. Make sure storage space is organized with selves that are neat and tool benches are clutter free.

Living areas – Make sure that the walls are clean and painted in a neutral color as to appeal to the largest amount of people. Often a nice tan or beige is better than builder white. Clean the carpet, or place them if stained and worn. Remove area rugs to show case wood floors. Clean out the fireplace and remove smoke stains if they are on the brick or tile. Clean all window coverings and replace broken blinds.

Kitchens – Clean the oven and stove top. Remove almost everything from the counter tops to make counter space seem ample. Update pulls if they are dated. Make sure all drawer and cabinet doors open easily and without making any noise. Remove everything from the refrigerator door, sides and clean the inside. Clean all grout and replace or repair as needed. Fix any leaks in the sink.

Baths – Polish all fixtures and clean the tub, tile, mirror, sink and toilet. Replace the shower curtain if needed. Keep fresh white towels on towel racks. Remove as much clutter from counters as possible.

Closets – Buyers are sure to look into you closets. Make sure that all the items in each closet are neatly organized and stacked on selves. Clothes and shoes should be arranged neatly. You may want to remove clothing that is not being worn that season to give the appearance of more space. Make sure all doors and drawers open easily and without making any noise.

Making these easy and low cost fixes will help you sell your house as quickly as possible. Remember to think like a buyer when you are making your list of things to do to get your home ready to sell.