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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 like new
typically sell the fastest and procure the best price.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when getting ready to sell:
Exterior
 Remember the 60-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. 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. Painting your
house helps improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you
decide against painting the entire house, 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.
Step back for a moment and look at your
home as if you were seeing it for the first time. Every room should be
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 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.
Living Room
Replace the carpet if it's 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 remove furniture to make your rooms
look more spacious. Too much furniture and too many knick-knacks make
rooms look cluttered and small. One or two decorative items per surface
are plenty, so pack the rest away.
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 and knobs on drawers are
secure.
Utility Room
Dust and wash the washer, dryer and 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. |
