Preparing Your Home for Sale
With a little effort on your part, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. The following tips have proved invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention:
- First impressions are lasting! The front door greets the buyer. Make sure it is fresh, clean, and paint the trim.
- Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of debris. Reseed the lawn and fertilize if necessary, weed the gardens, and add mulch. Deep green grass makes a lasting impression. In winter, be sure snow and ice is removed from walks and steps.
- Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the buyer how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.
- Let the sun shine in. Open drapes and curtains and let the buyer see how cheerful your home can be. Dark rooms are not appealing.
- Do the windows and window screens work well and look good? Have the windows spotless.
- Are the appliances operating properly and sparkling?
- Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
- Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value, have them fixed.
- Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls and adding brighter light bulbs.
- Keep stairways clear and avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
- Pack excess linens and clothing to make closets look bigger, neat, well-ordered closets show the space is ample.
- Bathrooms help sell homes, check and repair grout in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle!
- Arrange bedrooms neatly, remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and fresh looking window coverings.
- Everything from floors to windows must be spotless, including the oven and other major appliances.
- Kill the offensive odors. They're the first thing buyers notice, and often a permanent turnoff. Make sure your home passes the scent test. Right before an open house, bake some cookies or bread, simmer a pot of apple cider & cinnamon on the stove, or light a few scented candles. Strong odors could send potential lookers running out the front door.
- New towels can freshen a tired kitchen or bath. Fresh flowers add warmth to any room. And even a fresh coat of paint doesn't cost much.
- Eliminate Clutter, put away small kitchen appliances and other items that are sitting on countertops and tables. Remove photographs and other small items from table-tops and from the walls. Organize closets and cabinets.
