How do you know what you need to do to get your house ready to sell? More importantly, to get the most for it? Well, I can help you with that.
1. De-clutter – This one seems petty obvious, but it’s amazing how much you don’t notice in your own home after you’ve looked at the same stuff day after day, year after year. Try to look at your house through new eyes, and see all the knick-knacks, magazines, coats, shoes and general “stuff” that is lying around. Believe me, other people will see it, and you want your home to appear as spacious and roomy as possible. Get rid of the clutter, #1! Also look at your rooms now to see where there is to much going on, to many patterns in the rugs or pillows? Neutralize and de-clutter the visual aspect as well.
2. Organize – Get those closets in tip-top shape so that when the doors are opened, they are neat and clean, with ROOM TO SPARE! They will be if you have de-cluttered. Put tools in the garage; get rid of things you don’t use. Clean out the pantry. Remove all those plastic bowls you’ve been saving. Remember the saying, “a place for everything and everything in it’s place?” Don’t have batteries in the silverware drawer, or spare light bulbs in your master bath cabinet. Really organize everything. Did I mention throwing away things you don’t use?
3. Carpets – Have the carpets thoroughly cleaned by a professional. If you have pets, or small children, this is a MUST. If someone isn’t really into carpet in the first place, you’ll seriously turn them away if you have dingy, stained carpeting. If it’s clean and smells fresh, it can still be a potential sale because they can live with clean carpeting until they have time to remove it.
4. Repairs – If your kids were playing baseball or darts in the house you may need some repair work. Scratches, nail holes, chipped wood, etc. needs to be spackled, sanded, primed and painted (or stained). The less a potential buyer sees that needs to be done, the better. If there’s a doorknob missing or a broken window lock, fix it. An inspector will point these things out and you will need to fix them eventually anyway. Why not start with a house in good working order before the showing.
5. Paint – If our home’s interior hasn’t been painted recently, or you have distinctive colors, you should consider painting in a neutral color. Buyers are more able to envision their furniture in a neutral environment. That vibrant purple room probably won’t fly, even if they are a “Prince” fan.
I’ll be back soon with more tips for getting your home ready to sell.
Tami Loves…helping friends get their homes ready for a quick sale!
