Get Your Home Ready to Sell!

selling a home

When you put your home on the market, you'll want to go through it room by room with your agent or a friend to get an idea of what buyers will see. The goal is to focus on the small repairs that can pay off big.

Many of these measures don't cost anything at all. They just take a little time and effort on your part, but that effort pays back big in terms of more equity and better offers on your home!

Curb appeal. Many buyers ride by a property before they schedule a time to see it, so make sure the exterior of your home leaves buyers wanting to see more.

1.) Landscaping. Are all plants healthy and well-maintained? You don't want dead brown plants everywhere, but neither do you want a jungle in front of your home. If you have a front lawn it should be green and well trimmed. Also, store away any toys, bikes, etc. . . so your front and back yards look bigger.

2.) First Impressions. What does your front door look like? If it's chipped, nicked or just plain dull, you may want to consider a new coat of paint. It is the first thing buyers will notice as they enter your home. Large, brass address numbers don't cost a lot, but can leave a big impression. Also, at night consider leaving outdoor lights on, so more people can see your home. If you have cracks in your porch, foundation, or sidewalk, consider having them filled and touched up.

Inside the home. The point here is to make the home look big and inviting, and you want buyers to be able to picture themselves and their furniture in the home. So with that in mind, here are some tips for the inside.

1.) Clear out the clutter. This is the number 1 thing to do before putting your home on the market. A buyer won't purchase a home they can't see, and if your counters and floors are overflowing, buyers will think the home doesn't have enough room.

Store things away in boxes and put them in the attic, garage, closets, or even rent a storage space, but clear out your home. Your agent can go step by step with you through your house, but some of the most important things are kitchen counters, bathroom counters, and walls. If you have a lot of furniture you'll want to put that away as well and concentrate on a couple key pieces that are integral to the meaning of the room, such as a desk in an office or a dining room table set with your good china.

2.) Clean. Whether you have to hire a service or spend some time at it yourself, make the home inviting. Dust everywhere, including the fan blades on ceiling fans, sweep, mop, vacuum or shampoo all the floors, get rid of cobwebs, and make sure kitchens and bathrooms (key selling rooms) are spotless.

Also, you'll want to use your nose, or your agent's nose to make sure there are no odors from pets, smoke, must, or strong foods. Our nose is the closest organ to our brain and it can make a big impression on a buyer for good or bad. Don't lose thousands of dollars in equity in your home by getting low or no offers just because there's a smell your buyers don't like.

3.) Put away personal stuff. This may still be your home, but you don't want the buyers to think of that. You want them to be able to imagine themselves in it, so get rid of personal items like photos, artwork, collectors figurines, and all other nick nacks. You don't know what your buyers' tastes will be, and you don't want to have something displayed that makes it impossible for them to imagine moving in.

4.) Make minor repairs. Doing big things like replacing a roof or remodeling a kitchen may not pay off for you. But minor repairs like making sure windows open, replacing missing or leaking shingles on a roof and repairing water damage and cracks can pay off big time with buyers.

The idea here is that when a buyer walks into your home and sees a lot of little things that need repair, he or she thinks, “If what I can see needs all these touch ups, I wonder how the things are that I can't see like the foundation, the roof and the plumbing!” Don't let your buyer start thinking like that. Repair leaky faucets, replace burned-out light bulbs, and patch cracks in the ceiling or walls.

5.) Think bright and neutral. If you have dark colored walls, outdated wallpaper, or outdated wood paneling, consider repainting with bright, neutral colors. They make the home seem larger and more welcoming than dark colors. Plus, they have a better chance of matching a buyer's furniture.

6.) Updates. Update kitchens and baths only if you have the time and the money, and only if your agent thinks it will pay off. Also, an update may not mean a complete remodel. For baths consider replacing the vanity and sink, installing a new floor covering like tile instead of linoleum, or resurfacing a stained or old tub. For kitchens consider new cabinet fronts or a new coat of paint or stain on existing cabinets, new window treatments or a new flooring.

Remember, this is just a general guideline. Don't get overwhelmed as you look at this list, just go through your home with your agent and prioritize the things you need to work on. Then take it one step at a time and know that with each hour you spend, you're ensuring yourself of a bigger payoff at the closing table!

Contact Lisa with any questions, or to get your home on the market!