Preparing your house for sale:
A clean, neat home in need of few or no repairs will sell faster and at a higher price than one that is showing wear and tear. To give your home its best possible presentation, perform a mini-makeover or have your home professionally staged before it’s shown to potential buyers. With my background in design and space planning, I can help you achieve this goal by doing a final walk through with you to make sure no details have been overlooked. Here’s a list of tips that will help you make your home more attractive. Some of the items below will be part of a buyer’s inspection & may need to be repaired or replaced as part of the transaction.
Buyers well see many homes for sale; putting your best foot forward helps you stand out against your competition. The main theme here is repair, de-clutter, clean and freshen-up your home so a buyer can see themselves making it their home.
Exterior:
• Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat.
• Clear gutters & downspouts.
• Make sure exterior has good lighting & all walkway lights & front door lanterns work.
• Remove moss from the roof.
Yard:
• Mow & trim grass; reseed and fertilize where necessary
• Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs.
• Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs and trees.
• Clean grease & oil stains from driveway.
• Weed flower beds & plant fresh flowers for color.
Deck and Patios:
• De-moss, paint or stain worn areas in wood decks.
• Remove grass growing in concrete cracks, sweep off debris from shrubs and trees.
• Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts.
Front Door:
• Polish the hardware on the door.
• Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks.
• Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure.
• Make sure the doorbell operates properly & no squeaky doors.
Windows:
• Clean all windows inside & out.
• If needed add a fresh coat of paint to window trims and sills.
• Make sure all windows open & close easily.
• Replace cracked windowpanes & broken seals.
Entry:
• Clean entryway floors & double check entry lighting.
• Remove coats when not in season in entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness.
Living room/ Dining Room/ Family Room:
• Repair cracks, holes in walls & give the room a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Clean carpets, draperies & blinds.
• Clean wood flooring & remove any stains or odors.
• Position furniture to showcase the size & space of the room.
• Put away items like toys, hobby supplies, remove extra magazines & books from tables.
• Clean out fireplace.
Kitchen:
• Make sure countertops & sinks are clean & stain free.
• Organize pantry, cupboards refrigerator & clean oven and cook top.
Bathrooms:
• Make sure sinks, tubs, showers & countertops are clean & free of stains.
• Make sure all fixtures are operating.
• Clean & repair tiles or grout.
• Install new shower curtain.
• De-clutter counters & shelves.
Bedrooms:
• Repair cracks in ceiling & walls.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Make sure drapes & blinds are clean & open for maximum light.
• De-clutter & neatly make up the beds.
Basement:
• Check for water, dampness or musty odors.
• Clean furnace & drains.
• Make sure light fixtures work.
• Organize & arrange storage areas.
• Make sure stairs are clear of clutter & the handrail secure.
Tidy the Extras:
• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway & enrich the entry.
• Remove any dead or brown leaves on indoor plants.
• Remove any fixer cars, campers & boats from property.
• At night, turn on outdoor lights. Buyers may drive by homes they
are considering at night.