Preparing Your Home for Sale

Preparing your home for sale in the real estate market place can seem like a daunting task, but the most important thing is to take it step by step. You won’t sell your house any faster if you are unprepared, so take the time to make certain that everything is right before you even put it on the market. When I put my very first house on the market, I experienced several setbacks that could have been avoided had I done my research.

The first thing that prospective buyers will see is the front of your house, and you know what they say about first impressions. I didn’t realize that the exterior of my house would be crucial in the sale of my home, but cleaning it up made all the difference.

Make sure that the exterior of your home is aesthetically pleasing, with a nicely manicured lawn and a fresh coat of paint on your front door. Children’s bicycles and other toys should be put away, and a welcome mat on the front stoop certainly won’t hurt, either.

The backyard patio and any other amenities should be swept clean of dirt and leaves, and if you have a pool, it should be cleaned once a day. Mend any broken boards in your fencing and make sure that all of your windows have been washed. Shrubs, flower gardens and other types of plants should be neatly trimmed and pleasing to the eye. Make sure that you have your lawn mowed in the summer, and pulling out the weed eater will also make a difference.

It is important to look at your home from the prospective of a buyer. What would you want to see in your home if you were looking to buy it for the first time? You know your house better than anyone else, so attend to the tiny details that even an experienced realtor might miss.

Inside, pay special attention to the floors and walls. Chipped paint, cracked tiles and stained carpets should be replaced immediately. Even if you plan to do these things before you sell the house, buyers will want to see the house as it will be when they buy.

If you have leaky faucets or a broken commode, a call to the plumber should be your first step. Make sure that if you have animals, that you have cleaned up any messes and that you have used some sort of air neutralizer to get rid of any unpleasant odors. Remember that when you live in a house, you stop noticing the smell of your animals. Prospective buyers will notice, however, so be proactive concerning the smell of your home.

If you haven’t yet moved out, arrange your furniture so that it accentuates the most attractive aspects of your home. For example, if you have a beautiful fire place and mantle, place the couches and chairs so that the fireplace is the centerpiece of the room. Hang artwork and other decorations so they complement the style and design of your home, rather than detracting from it.

Make sure that all dishes have been put away and the kitchen counters have been wiped clean. Take your children’s artwork off of the refrigerator and put all bills and paperwork in drawers, rather than leaving them lying out. Magazines, books and newspapers should be kept in a bucket or bin out of the way, and shoes should not be littering the floor.

Lastly, pay special attention to the bedrooms. Studies have shown that the final deciding factor for families looking for homes is the area where they will sleep. Your bed should be made neatly, and all of your clothes should either be hung in the closet or folded in drawers. The bathrooms should be clean – including the mirrors – and your closets should be well-organized to maximize the amount of space buyers will see. If necessary, rent a storage unit prior to the sale of your home and store all excess items there.