How to Prepare Your Home for Sale

On the outside

Here are some suggestions for the exterior of your home:

• Start at the sidewalk: Landscaping makes a huge difference in how people perceive your home. Plant colorful annuals in the flowerbeds. Keep the lawn green and trimmed.
  
  
• Revive a tired exterior: If necessary paint the exterior. Otherwise painting exterior doors and window trim can freshen your home's look without the huge expense of a complete exterior repainting. Shine or replace worn door knockers and hardware. Replace or remove torn screens or damaged storm windows. Make sure exterior lights are working and have fresh bulbs -- some buyers like to cruise by your home at night to see how it looks.
  
  
• Remove outside clutter: Get rid of anything that blocks pathways or clutters up side yards, back yards and patios. This includes toys, excess furniture and tools.
  
  
• Clean your windows: You want your home to look as light and bright as possible. Dirty or spotted windows drag down a home's appearance.

On the inside

Once inside, inspect your floors, your walls, your kitchen, your bathrooms and your closets -- because your buyers will. Here's what you need to do:

• Deep cleaning: A deep cleaning is essential for a good first impression. It's also key to keep up the cleaning as long as your house is on the market. Bathrooms and the kitchen should be kept spotless.
  
  
• Get rid of bad smells. Air out your home by throwing open the windows at least once a day. Don't cook smelly or greasy foods, which linger in the house. If you have cats, clean the litter box at least once a day. Use potpourri or bake cookies before buyers visit to give your place a nice smell.
  
  
• Remove inside clutter: You need to move anyway, so why not get a head start and make your home look larger by packing away at least one-third of your stuff? Stowing away knickknacks, mementos and family pictures helps depersonalize your home, which is actually a good thing: You want potential buyers to picture themselves living in your home instead of being distracted by your personal effects. Keep a small amount of furniture in each room. Keep windowsills and countertops clear. Clean out closets. Consider renting a temporary storage space rather than stuffing your packed boxes in your closets or garage, which will make them look smaller.
  
  
• Organize what's left. Tidy closets and pantries look bigger and more appealing.
  
  
• Fix your floors: Buyers really notice the condition of floors. Hardwood should be polished and carpets shampooed or, if they're in bad shape, replaced. Repair any broken tile or linoleum.
  
  
• Brighten your walls: If you've painted or wallpapered in recent years, you may be able to get away with just washing your walls. Otherwise, consider repainting your rooms in neutral colors.
  
  
• Make repairs: Fix leaky faucets, cracked windows, torn screens, cracks in the walls, etc.

• Check the visibility of your house numbers, repaint or polish if necessary
• Create an inviting walkway. Add color with annuals and a new doormat to brighten your home and welcome buyers
• Open windows everyday to let in fresh air. Appeal to buyer, sense of smell and create an inviting feeling by lighting candles or baking
• Sharpen the look of rooms by paying attention to detail. Polish door knobs and handles and replace lights in bathrooms and kitchen as necessary
• Turn on all lights, especially at night, to highlight your homes amenities
• Create a focal point in your entryway by adding a picture, lamp or plant.
• Remove furniture to make rooms appear larger and allow for clear traffic pattern
• Unify the accent pieces and details in our home. Replace old lampshades, bedspreads and bath towels and coordinate matching area rugs, pillows and candles throughout all rooms
• Try to make a child's room minimally personal and make sure it is safe
• Always test your doorbell to be certain it is in good working order
• Move your best pieces of furniture towards the front of each room and your least attractive pieces toward the back
• Hang all pictures on the low side and hang mirrors across from windows that get a lot of light or have a view
• Set your dinning room table for a decorative appeal
• Place plants and fresh flowers in a rooms to add vibrancy and freshness. Use big, bright or bold accessories to draw attention to important areas of the room
• Try not to be present when potential buyers are viewing your home. If you are present, keep conversation to a minimum

Back