Preparing Your Home to Sell
Most of us don't keep our homes in "showroom" condition however the condition of your home will affect how quickly it sells and the price the buyer is willing to offer. First impressions are the most important. During our seller’s consultation, we will tour your home and make recommendations for updates and improvements that will bring the most value to your bottom line. If needed, we can also provide recommendations for contractors to help with any work needed. We will also arrange, at our expense, for a professional home stager to help stage your home to appeal to the widest pool of buyers.
Once staged, we will also arrange for professional photography to highlight your homes best features. This is especially important for the online marketing presence of your home on real estate sites like MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
Below are some tips you can do to prepare your home to sell.
Clean Up Outside - The first thing people see when they drive up to your home is the lawn and the entrance. Make sure the lawn is mowed, shrubs are trimmed and the porch is free of clutter. Give the front door a good scrub or fresh paint. In winter, make sure a path has been cleared of any snow.
Pay attention to the Little Things - Check all doors, knobs, drawers and windows to make sure nothing sticks or is loose. Be sure to get all the little things fixed, it can make a big difference in the perceived value of the home.
Clear the Clutter - This is often the hardest part, but so important. Pick up all loose items and clear hallways. Organize all closets, and remember, the less you have in the closet the bigger it looks. If needed, rent a storage unit to hold items until your home is sold.
Clean Up - Before your home goes on the market, clean it from top to bottom. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Scrub sinks and mop floors. Repair any damaged or discolored caulking and be sure towels are bright and clean.
Be Aware of Aroma - Pet odors, smoke, greasy cooking odors and even strong fragrance sprays can be off-putting. Always ensure your home is smelling fresh either by opening windows to air out or using air freshners. Subtle, natural smells are best.
Pet Control - If you have pets, it’s best to find a place for them to stay during showings – either with you away from the home or with a friend or family member. If you are unable to do this, pets should be penned in an area of the backyard or kennel. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room and put a sign on the door.
Let the Light In - During the day, open all the shades and window coverings. Turn on as many lights as possible especially in key areas like the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Light gives a positive feeling to the home and can make rooms feel more spacious.
Keep it Tidy – Ensure beds are made everyday, dirty dishes are put away, and areas freshly dusted and vacuumed. Remove your kitchen trash before every showing. You want your home to look like a model home, i.e. a home with furniture, but no residents.
Right Temperature - A showing is not the right time to save on utility bills. Make sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable setting for the season. The goal is for potential buyers to not even think about the temperature in the home.
Leave the House - During showings you should leave. Potential buyers feel more comfortable and are likely to spend more time viewing the home.
When you are ready to get started, just call, click or text.
Once staged, we will also arrange for professional photography to highlight your homes best features. This is especially important for the online marketing presence of your home on real estate sites like MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.
Below are some tips you can do to prepare your home to sell.
Clean Up Outside - The first thing people see when they drive up to your home is the lawn and the entrance. Make sure the lawn is mowed, shrubs are trimmed and the porch is free of clutter. Give the front door a good scrub or fresh paint. In winter, make sure a path has been cleared of any snow.
Pay attention to the Little Things - Check all doors, knobs, drawers and windows to make sure nothing sticks or is loose. Be sure to get all the little things fixed, it can make a big difference in the perceived value of the home.
Clear the Clutter - This is often the hardest part, but so important. Pick up all loose items and clear hallways. Organize all closets, and remember, the less you have in the closet the bigger it looks. If needed, rent a storage unit to hold items until your home is sold.
Clean Up - Before your home goes on the market, clean it from top to bottom. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Scrub sinks and mop floors. Repair any damaged or discolored caulking and be sure towels are bright and clean.
Be Aware of Aroma - Pet odors, smoke, greasy cooking odors and even strong fragrance sprays can be off-putting. Always ensure your home is smelling fresh either by opening windows to air out or using air freshners. Subtle, natural smells are best.
Pet Control - If you have pets, it’s best to find a place for them to stay during showings – either with you away from the home or with a friend or family member. If you are unable to do this, pets should be penned in an area of the backyard or kennel. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room and put a sign on the door.
Let the Light In - During the day, open all the shades and window coverings. Turn on as many lights as possible especially in key areas like the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Light gives a positive feeling to the home and can make rooms feel more spacious.
Keep it Tidy – Ensure beds are made everyday, dirty dishes are put away, and areas freshly dusted and vacuumed. Remove your kitchen trash before every showing. You want your home to look like a model home, i.e. a home with furniture, but no residents.
Right Temperature - A showing is not the right time to save on utility bills. Make sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable setting for the season. The goal is for potential buyers to not even think about the temperature in the home.
Leave the House - During showings you should leave. Potential buyers feel more comfortable and are likely to spend more time viewing the home.
When you are ready to get started, just call, click or text.
