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. |