Preparing Your Home for Sale

What are buyers willing to pay top dollar for? A home that is move-in ready. It's time to emotionally detach and look at your home objectively. What needs fixed? What needs updated? Ask for neighbors' candid opinions. Here are some tips to ensure you stand out from the competition.

• Exterior
  
  This is the buyers' first introduction to the house. If they don't like the outside, chances are they'll pass without even looking inside. Your home's exterior condition is known as curb appeal, and it can make or break a sale in an instant. Take an objective look at your house. What do you notice? The well-trimmed lawn and freshly painted columns? Or is it the cracked driveway and flaking roof? Use this short checklist to get your exterior show ready.
  
  
  • Dejunk.  Get rid of the clutter. This includes leaves, toys, and tools. And no cars on cinder blocks.
  • Repair.  Fill in driveway cracks; refinish, reseal, or repour if needed. Check rain gutters for obstructions and proper flow. Make sure lights and windows are operational.
  • Clean up.  Powerwash the exterior (including decks, patios, and porches), shine up the windows, and apply fresh paint or stain if needed.
  • Trim.  Keep the grass mowed; reseed bare spots. Prune all trees and shrubbery, removing the dead branches.
  • Add Color.  If the season is right, add dark mulch to the flowerbeds and plant brightly colored flowers. The look is fresh, alive, and inviting.
• Interior
  
  The idea for the interior is "universal appeal," much like a hotel room: clean, fresh smelling, neutral-colored walls, tasteful decor, and easy traffic flow. Too many reminders that the house is lived in can turn off potential buyers like breadcrumbs on the counter, fingerprints on the doors, or clothes on the floor. Strive for that "model home" look. Read on for specific tips.
  
  
  • Clutter.  If you don't need it, get it OUT OF SIGHT! Box up the trinkets, get the appliances off the counters, and put the toothpaste in the drawer. Less is more when showing your home. For example, consider replacing that family photo shrine with a classy piece of art on a freshly painted wall.
  • Function.  Check every switch, plug, faucet, toilet, door, and window for proper operation. You may even consider ordering a full home inspection.
  • Cleanliness.  The proverbial "cleanliness is next to godliness" is sage advice for the home seller. Even if your place is tidy, a deep clean will always improve the appeal of your home.
  • Organization.  A buyer may look anywhere in your house, including drawers and closets. Make sure everything is well organized; it is not only appealing to buyers but also reflects on your quality of homeownership.
  • Paint.  The biggest bang for your buck is a coat of fresh paint on the walls. Choose a neutral shade, and paint any room that's looking marked or dingy.
  • Carpet.  Have your carpets professional cleaned at a minimum. Worn out, stained, or bad-smelling carpet should be ripped out and replaced.
• Showing
  
  When it's time to show, there are a few last-minute preparations to make. You can't change a first impression, so this is your big moment.
  
  
  • Light.  Make it as light as possible. Open all the blinds, draw all the drapes, and turn on all the lights. Light is inviting and exhilarating.
  • Smell.  Create a pleasant aroma, without overdoing it, by using fresh air, candles, or even baked goods. Pet odors, smoke, diapers, and rotting food must go! They are a BIG turn-off.
  • Temperature.  Keep the thermostat set at a comfortable temperature.
  • Clutter.  Anything that is out, PUT AWAY! NO dishes in the sink.
  • Cleanliness.  Re-check everything to make sure it is shiny and spotless, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Fresh towels, scrubbed tubs, and shiny floors go a long way in impressing a buyer.
  • Pets.  Take pets away from the house, or keep them outside at a minimum. Evidence of a pet can put a damper on an otherwise positive tour.
  • People.  Before the buyers arrive, leave! If you can't, make yourself as inconspicuous as possible (perhaps outdoors). Buyers should feel comfortable to speak freely and look at any part of the house. If you're there, they may feel like they are intruding and leave with a negative or incomplete impression of the house.