Preparing Your Home For Sale

It has probably been years since your last dress-up experience. Perhaps your mom bought you fancy shoes and hats, or your dad got you old military gear.?It was fun, but you feel you have moved on from the dress-up stage.?Wrong!?Experts encourage you to resurrect those days just as you thought they were dead and buried.?You can resurrect them when it is time to sell your home.

While common sense and that awful smell from the pantry will tell most people to clean their homes thoroughly before they put them up for sale, it is sometimes not enough.?Sometimes you will need to decorate it a bit.?Your home's presentation to potential buyers is crucial. It can be the difference between "That one home with the horrible wallpaper" and a sale.

Let's start by looking at curb appeal.?It is crucial that prospective buyers make the right first impression when they drive up to a property.?If the exterior is not appealing to them, they will soon become disillusioned before they step foot in the front door.?.?.?If they do.

The Yard

Mulch can make a planter area look cleaner and more defined than anything else.?Mulch gives even the most neglected areas professional landscaping.?Trim the shrubs and mow your lawn. Add some color (if it's possible) with flowers.?For a less last-minute feel, flowers should be planted at least one month in advance.?Prospective buyers shouldn't think that you are a bad gardener.

Exterior

You don't need to paint your entire home if you don't have the money or time. Repainting trims and shutters is a good alternative.?Warning: If you aren't inclined to paint in a neutral shade, ask three friends or family for their opinion before you begin looking for paint brushes.?Make sure to clean up any oil spots.?You should ensure that your garage door opens easily.?Make sure to clean all windows, both interior and exterior.?Broken glass should not be broken.?A front porch that is clean and has a front door that looks new (there are three corroborators!).?A front porch that opens easily is a must.

The Interior

You have never stepped beyond your home's threshold, so the first instruction is: Have a Garage Sale!?Seriously!?You should take it seriously!?Clutter is the silent killer when it comes to home sales.?A "busy room" will make even the most reserved buyer twitch.?It is important to pack and store your early Disney characters or family photos shrine on the dresser.?Clutter can accumulate on countertops, shelves and in closets, drawers as well as in garages, basements, attics, garages, attics, and garages.?Every little thing must be removed from your space to make it as open and clear as possible.?Clear the countertops if you want your kitchen looking bigger and/or cleaner.?The toaster is not necessary!?The smaller your kitchen is, the more you can do with it.?The same goes for bathrooms.?You can also give your walls a new coat of paint.?But remember that dark-colored paint can make a room seem smaller and more intimate.?.?.?well, darker.?Replace all dingy light bulbs.

Repairs

Repairs that have been put off are now possible. "It's easier to just duct tape it into submission."?Replace the lightbulb.?You should replace the light bulb if it is not working.?If it isn't visible when buyers look at your house, they will most likely discover it during home inspections.

The Kids

If you have children, clutter is a common sign of kids.?Most buyers will quickly guess the age and gender of an occupant when they see a room with children.?We "ooh," at the baby's clothes. And we "aah," at their fluorescent green walls.?We're just like that.?We're human.?Because of this special "affinity", we can forgive many things, even black paint with glow in the dark ceiling decals.?However, we really want to be comfortable walking through the room, without having to worry about Tickle Me Elmo and, worse, gulp, our family hamster.

Fido & Fluffy

No matter if your beloved pet is indoors or out, there are three essential things you need to remember.?The first is the smell.?Room fresheners can add spice or floral notes to the dominant pet smell, but ionizers can be very effective.?The best room fresheners are not as effective at removing pet odor.?Secondly, fur.?A lintbrush could do wonders for furniture.?Please, remove all dog droppings from your yard.?Unsuspecting purchasers might not be able to see Fido’s gifts, and track it throughout the home, before they are slapped in the face.

Contact a realtor!?Most Realtors are free to visit your home and explain exactly what you should do to prepare it for sale.?This is what we do!

Take a step back and see your home through the eyes of a potential buyer.?It's possible that you will be amazed at the results of staging your home for sale.