In
preparing your house to sell, ask yourself over and over if your house
looks like someone else's dream house. Houses in move-in condition tend
to be inviting to buyers; houses that are in like-new condition
typically sell fastest and procures the best price because it outshine
the competition. Often sellers have
organized their homes to express themselves - their travels,
collections, interests, favorite colors and unique tastes. However, when
selling a home, the goal is just the opposite. It is to create a clean,
simple background that many different buyers would like to move into.
Warm, clean, simple, spacious, well lighted, neutral - and uncluttered -
this is the look you want to achieve. With
that in mind, here are a few things to consider as you look over your
house when getting ready to sell:
1. Preparing the
exterior
Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the time you have to create a
good first impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs
that keep light out of the house, and remove dead plants. It will
probably be easier to sell your house if the buyer can see it, outside
and in. Pick up tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials
and store them neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean all
windows and mend torn screens. Dress up the front yard with some simple
landscaping. An evenly cut yard is pleasing to the eye. Fertilize the
grass a month or two ahead. Do not allow shrubs to cover windows. They
block light on the interior, and give an appearance of crowding on the
exterior. Coil hoses and place any tools inside the garage. Too many
flowerpots are distracting - use a few large pots with healthy plants.
2. Clean, Clean,
& Cleaner
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were seeing it
for the first time. Every room should be neat, spotlessly clean, dusted,
and uncluttered. Wash the walls, windows, and light fixtures. Clean
smudges around doorknobs and on light switches. Tighten loose stair
railings and clean all woodwork. In the event that you feel a project of
this magnitude is better left to a professional, ask your real estate
agent to recommend a professional cleaning service. Having all carpets
professionally cleaned can work wonders for the interior.
3. Entryway -
Your interior's first impression
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Fill the
house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer or cinnamon
in the winter, or some other fresh scent. Invest in a brand new welcome
mat. Stains, scratches and dirty spots create distractions to the eye,
and are a form of clutter. Clean, paint, and eliminate as many of these
as possible. .Pay close attention to your front door. Is it dirty,
darkened by mildew, or in need of re-finishing? The foyer should be
clear of shoes, coats, or excess items on the walls.
4. Living Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It costs money, but you may find
that you will more than recoup that cost when the home sells. Patch
cracks and nail holes in the walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors,
such as white or ivory. Nail down creaking boards and stair treads.
Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Open all curtains, and
replace them if they are getting old. Add lamps and lighting if the
house is dark. Set out fresh flowers. Too many personal collections and
photographs are distracting for buyers. Buyers must be able to imagine their own family in the
home. Large plants often take up too much space. Allow only a few
healthy plants in the house. Place books so that the backs are even. Lay
some books horizontally, and leave open space for art objects. Leave on
a few lamps for pleasant lighting.
Bedrooms
should appear restful and serene. Sparsely furnished is best. Use your
best covers, or invest in new ones if yours are worn. Clear off bedside
tables, and add back just a few books or nice items. Bedside lamps add a
warm ambience for showings. Remove excess paintings or photos from the
walls. In some cases, old curtains do more harm than good. Take
them down and clean the windows for a fresh look. Children's bedrooms
usually need to be simplified. Take down posters and box up toys. Avoid
an overcrowded look.
6. Furniture - Less
is more
Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms look more spacious.
Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture to a storage unit.
Remember, too much furniture and too many knick-knacks make rooms look
cluttered and small. One or two decorative items per surface is plenty,
so pack the rest away. Visit model homes for decorating ideas.
7. Kitchen and Baths
These rooms should sparkle! Clear off counters, and clean all appliances
and fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk tubs and showers.
Clean these rooms thoroughly, and be sure they smell fresh! The kitchen
is the heart of the home and plays an important part in attracting the
heart of a buyer. This is an active area that usually needs special
attention. Do not have notes or photos on the refrigerator. Never leave
trash containers out in the kitchen or bathroom. Put items that you use
daily - toothbrushes, soaps, razors - in a container, and place the
container inside in a cabinet.
8. Closets
Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway when
you move. Organize shelves and straighten shoes. Be sure that sliding
doors operate smoothly on their tracks and knobs on drawers are secure.
Organize your pantry with everything facing forward. Remove excess food
and containers. Relieve your closets if they are stuffed. Pack items
that are not needed.
9. Utility/Laundry
room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust and wash off the
water heater. The laundry room often
functions as a spill over room with junk on the shelves. Clear
everything out, and have just a few soap boxes visible.
10. Make the home
"Light and Bright"
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace wallpaper with
white or off-white paint, and repaint shabby or dark walls. Open the
blinds, and replace broken windows and window seals. Always maintain a
comfortable temperature inside the house, even if you are away for an
extended period of time.
