Preparing Your Home To Sell

When preparing your home to sell, take the opportunity to pay attention to details. Things you may have become accustomed to seeing around your house might need some attention

I can help you make a good first impression. Here are some suggestions to increase the desirability of your property to potential buyers, and help you sell at the best price, in the least amount of time. I can help you get discounts on home-related services from Long Advantage vendors – hand-picked local vendors who are focused on providing you a high level of service. It’s all part of my focus on giving you a full service real estate experience. Contact me for more information.

• Curb Appeal is Essential – A buyer’s first impression is formed by viewing the outside of your property. Trim plants and trees, weed your front, back and side yards, use a leaf blower to remove leaves, pods, and plant debris. Inspect the exterior of your property, including shutters and windows. Steel or aluminum siding should be clean. If the house needs painting, buyers will notice, and may consider it a major objection to purchasing your property.

• Pay close attention to the front door – it should sparkle. Polish the doorknob, clean the glass and replace worn screens.

• Neatness Counts – A sparkling clean home greatly enhances its appeal to buyers. Scrub each room from top to bottom covering every nook and cranny. The entryway, kitchen and bathrooms are key areas and should be given special attention. Shampoo the carpeting if it hasn’t been done recently. If your carpet is old or matted, it will be a detriment to selling the property. Consider replacing it or removing it if there is hardwood underneath.

• Eliminate Clutter – Closets, cupboards and other storage areas should be neat and uncluttered. Box everything you do not use regularly and donate it, sell it, throw it away or store it. Look at each room in the house with “less is best” as your objective. Remove unneeded furniture to make each room appear more spacious. Kitchen countertops should be clear of everything except what you use daily.

• If it’s Broken, Fix it – Repairs such as loose door knobs, broken dishwasher, dripping faucet and squeaky or sticking doors all detract from a property’s value. An afternoon spent making needed repairs now can eliminate buyers’ objections later. Hire a professional if needed.

• Small Additions Make a Big Impression – With minimal expense, you can improve the appearance of any room. Consider replacing worn area rugs and throw pillows. New towels can freshen a tired kitchen or bath. Flowers add warmth and charm to any locations. Identify the things you can do to make areas more pleasing to a buyer.

• It’s a Team Effort – Enlist the help of all household members to get the house ready – and keep it ready – for prospective buyers. A few minutes spent tidying up each morning can make the difference for a showing in the afternoon!