Preparing to Sell your Property
As a homeowner, you can play an important role in the sale of your property. When you take the following steps, the effort you put into repairing and cleaning your property is likely to be returned in the fast sale at an attractive price.
1. Make the Most of First Impressions:
- Keep well manicured lawn, with edges and shrubs neatly trimmed
- Remove all toys, garbage, garden tools and other items from view
- Keep front porch uncluttered and
- Freshly pain – or freshly scrub – the front door
- Put colorful flowers in the front of the house
- Keep walkways clear – the fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better
2. Invest a Few Hours for Maximum Results
- Keep your house looking and smelling clean
- Living Room - Clean out the fireplace and place logs in it
- Polish and vacuum all floors
- Kitchen - Put a vase of fresh flowers on the kitchen table
- Remove appliances from counters and put in storage
- Clean dirty dishes in the sink and put away any dishes on the counter
- Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (vanilla, cinnamon)
- Bathrooms – Install new shower curtains and replace worn throw rugs
- Polish all fixtures
- Hang bright, fresh towels
- Remove all stains from toilets and bathtubs
- Closets – The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Keep clean and clutter free
- Basement – Clean out the basement and dispose of everything you're not going to move
- Bedroom – For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture
- Keep beds made, furniture polished and laundry put away
3. Don't Forget those Repairs
- Make sure your doorbell is working properly
- Replace burned out bulbs
- Repair leaks and removed watermarks
- Fix any cabinets or doors that stick in your home
- Repair cracks in ceiling/walls
- Clean carpets
- Make sure all fixtures are operating correctly
- Paint the exterior and interior if in bad condition
4. Let the Sun Shine In
- Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is
- Turn on all your lights – both inside and outside – when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome
5. Watch your Pets
- While pets are great companions, they may hinder showing your home. Keep them outside, or at least out of the way
6. Before Showing your House
- Tag or remove items not included in the sale (chandelier, plants, drapes, etc.)
- Open shades and curtains to let in light
- Turn on enough lights so the home is well-lit during showing
- At night, turn on the porch light and outdoor lighting
- Tidy all rooms, Neatness makes a room easier to view
- Clean dirty dishes in the sink and put away dishes on the counter
- Keep toys in the children's rooms
- Put away items in the yard such as bicycles, gardening tools, skateboards, etc.
- If fall or winter, light a fire in the fireplace
7. While Showing your House
- When possible, leave the property while it's being shown. If you cannot leave, remain in an area that is not being shown by the sales associate
- Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with minimum distraction
- No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings
- Let the real estate expert show your house. Answer questions candidly when asked, but avoid questioning potential buyers
- Refer inquiries about seeing your house to your Realtor to take advantage of the agent's professional skills in selling your home
- Don't be home while your agent is holding an open house
- Keep radio, stereo or TV on low volume
- Keep money and other valuable items out of sight
- When prospects want to talk price, terms or other real estate matters, let them speak to your Agent