Preparing your home for the market is extremely important for many reasons.  Here are a few things you can do to appeal to buyers.

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“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Start with the outside of your home by doing with the following:

• Spruce up the lawn by cutting, trimming, weeding and removing all yard clutter
• Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds
• Make sure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning
• Clean windows inside and out
• Make sure house numbers are visible and even consider getting new ones
• Stack firewood out of sight
• Walkways and driveways should be clear of debris; in winter make sure to clear snow and ice to ensure safety

 

“It’s necessary to look at a home through the eyes of a prospective buyer.”

Tips for every room in the house:

• DE-CLUTTER
• Remove all personalized items throughout the home; buyers want to envision themselves in the space
• Tackle that honey-do list and make any repairs needed throughout the home
• Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps
• Make minor repairs such as torn screens, sticking doors and cracked caulking
• Set the mood; turn on all lights throughout the home
• Clean or paint walls and ceilings; make sure to use a neutral color
• Empty out your closets and leave minimal items behind
• Clean carpets and floors; fix any broken tiles
• Replace all burned out light bulbs
• Remove big, bulky furniture
• If you have pets, make sure to get rid of pet odors and conceal their food bowls, litter boxes and leashes
• Keep the noise down; turn off the TV and radio – soft instrumental music is good but avoid vocals

“Make an entrance.”

Make people feel welcome in your entryway:

• Replace entryway light bulbs to make it look brighter
• Make sure the doorbell works
• Place potted flowers near the front door
• Buy a new welcome mat
• Make sure entrance is free of clutter including tables, shelves and closets

 

“You’re not actually selling your house; you’re selling your kitchen.” 

The kitchen and dining room play an essential role when trying to sell your house:

• Sinks, appliances and counter tops should sparkle!
• Remove everything from the counter to make it look more spacious
• Remove extra leaves from dining room table to make the room look larger
• Set the table or counter bar to help buyers envision the room
• Buyers tend to look through closets and cabinets – make sure everything is organized and clean
• If cabinets show wear and tear, consider painting them or invest in new hardware
• Keep garbage and recycling bins out of sight
• Get rid of kitchen odors

 

“Take the home out of your house.” 

Try to make your living room look not so lived in:

• Clean your fireplace
• Open the blinds and drapes
• Brighten up the sofas and buy a new throw blanket and pillows
• If you have a favorite chair that doesn’t go with the rest of the furniture, remove it
• Remove your DVD collection and video games

 

“Make your bathroom shine!”

No one wants to walk into a cluttered, dirty bathroom:

• Place trash can under vanity to clear floor space – always empty trash cans before showings
• A new shower curtain can be a great investment; try to get matching towels to hang
• If working with a small space, invest in a clear shower curtain
• Keep all reading material out of sight in the bathroom
• Remove everything from the counters, except for soap sets, candles or fresh flowers
• Scrub tiles and bleach the grout so it sparkles; repair/replace if necessary
• Shine your faucets and knobs and use cleaner to prevent water spots
• Keep your shower and tub spotless; keep shampoos and soaps to a minimum

 

“Keep it neutral.”

Things you can do to help better show your bedrooms:

• Make sure the beds are made every day
• Remove any posters or personal items from the walls
• Store personal items in a bin and put under the bed to maximize space
• Fluff the pillows and launder all bedding before starting to show the house
• If bedding is shabby, invest in some new bedding; consult your realtor on style and color

 

“Make every room count and have a purpose.”

If you have an extra room in your home that things get stuffed away in, make sure you can help buyers imagine what they can do with that space; such as a home office or den:

• Set up a password protected screen saver on your desktop
• Remove everything from your desk surface and leave nothing but a lamp and your computer
• Removing big filing cabinets can help make the space look bigger

 

“The last thing you want to hear out of a buyer is EWWWW!”

Basement and laundry spaces:

• Brighten the space with at least 60 watt bulbs
• Make sure all basement lights are easy to find and easy to turn on
• Clean all cobwebs from the corners, ceilings, etc
• If you have concrete floors, a new coat of paint can go a long way
• Polish your washer and dryer to give them a bright shiny new look and clean the sink
• Remove detergents, iron and laundry items and get them out of sight
• Laying down a bright rug by the washer and dryer can help finish off the space
• Clean off furnace and water heater – this will help make them look new
• Do not paint the basement walls
• If there are any signs of water or structural damage, it may be necessary to obtain a structural engineer’s report

 

 “Show buyers it’s more than just a place to park your car.”

What you can do to help maximize the space in your garage:

• Empty out the garage; consider renting a storage unit
• Organize the space; install shelving to store bikes and sporting equipment
• Create a workshop area in one corner to maximize the space
• If you have a shed, make sure to organize it the same way