Get
Your Home Ready To Sell
In
preparing your house to sell, ask yourself
over and over if your house looks like someone
else's dream house. Houses in move-in
condition tend to be inviting to buyers;
houses that are in like-new condition
typically sell fastest and procures the best
price because it outshine the competition.
With
that in mind, here are a few things to
consider as you look over your house when
getting ready to sell:
Exterior
Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the
time you have to create a good first
impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim
trees and shrubs that keep light out of the
house, and remove dead plants. It will
probably be easier to sell your house if the
buyer can see it, outside and in. Pick up
tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building
materials and store them neatly in a storage
area. Replace broken or missing roof shingles,
and straighten and clean the gutters and
downspouts. Clean all windows and mend torn
screens. Paint your house, if necessary. This
can probably help improve curb appeal more
than any other fix-up! If you decide against
painting the entire house, at least consider
painting the front door, window frames, and
shutters. Seal or resurface the driveway and
repair broken steps and walkways. Paint or
replace your mailbox and post. Dress up the
front yard with some simple landscaping.
Clean,
Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home
as if you were seeing it for the first time.
Every room should be neat, spotlessly clean,
dusted, and uncluttered. Steam clean the
carpets and wax the floors. Wash the walls,
windows, and light fixtures. Tighten loose
stair railings and clean all woodwork. In the
event that you feel a project of this
magnitude is better left to a professional,
ask your real estate agent to recommend a
professional cleaning service.
Entryway
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and
throughout the house. Fill the house with a
pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer
or cinnamon in the winter, or some other fresh
scent.
Living
Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It
costs money, but you may find that you will
more than recoup that cost when the home
sells. Patch cracks and nail holes in the
walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors,
such as white or ivory. Nail down creaking
boards and stair treads. Lubricate any
sticking or squeaking doors. Open all
curtains, and replace them if they are getting
old. Add lamps and lighting if the house is
dark. Set out fresh flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms
look more spacious. Discard worn furniture and
move extra furniture to a storage unit.
Remember, too much furniture and too many
knick-knacks make rooms look cluttered and
small. One or two decorative items per surface
is plenty, so pack the rest away. Visit model
homes for decorating ideas.
Kitchen
and Baths
These rooms should sparkle! Clear off
counters, and clean all appliances and
fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk
tubs and showers. Clean these rooms
thoroughly, and be sure they smell fresh!
Closets
Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have
to discard anyway when you move. Organize
shelves and straighten shoes. Be sure that
sliding doors operate smoothly on their tracks
and knobs on drawers are secure.
Utility
Room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and
dryer. Dust and wash off the water heater.
Light
and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the
interior. Replace wallpaper with white or
off-white paint, and repaint shabby or dark
walls. Open the blinds, and replace broken
windows and window seals. Always maintain a
comfortable temperature inside the house, even
if you are away for an extended period of
time.