Preparing Your Home For Sale
We've provided suggestions below that will help you prepare your home for successful showing. Invest in those areas where wear is visible or where the effort and expense will enhance the home's appearance, thereby making it more marketable with maximum curb appeal.
Exterior
Most buyers form their opinion between the car and your front door, so let's begin outside.
Achieve Curb Appeal
- Trim shrubs, hedges, trees and lawn
- Rake up dead leaves and pick up dead tree limbs
- Repaint or replace worn mailbox
- Repair and/or repaint the fence
- Reseed worn patches on the lawn
- Weed and feed the lawn and garden
- Pick up all litter and trash
- Pick up all garden tools
- Pick up all toys
- Mulch flower beds
- Clean pool
House Exterior
- Repair or repaint siding
- Repaint or touch up trim along the side of the house
- Check weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows
- Apply a fresh coat of paint to a worn doorway
- Repair a malfunctioning screen or storm door
- Wash steps and railings
- Put up new, easily recognizable house numbers
- Spruce up the fornt door with pottted plants
- Remove old or dirty screens from windows
- Wash all windows
Interior
A good rule of thumb used by many professionals is to declutter the interior of the home by 50%, and store personal momentos temporarily out of sight when possible.
House Interior
- Freshen interior paints and finishes
- Make your home look well-kept and inviting
- Make sure all appliances are in good working order
- Replace appliances that are of older vintage
- Check and repair deficient plumbing or electrical systems
- Replace worn carpets
- Clean floor coverings
- Make sure caulk around sink, shower, tub and windows is in good condition
- Replace any broken light fixtures
- Make sure each room is well lit
- Consider refinishing wood floors
Roof and Chimney
- Remove debris from gutters and downspouts
- Repair or repaint gutters and downsprouts
- Check chimney flue and clean obstructions
- Check flashing around vents, skylights and chimney for leaks
- Check chimney for damaged chimney caps and loose or missing mortar
- Install wire screens in roof ventilation areas
- Check roof for leaks
- Check roof shingles for sturdiness
Staging
The value of staging cannot be overestimated, especially in today’s competitive market. In many cases, a walk-thru with your realtor can provide a wealth of simple design ideas to improve the look and marketability of your home.
Inspection Results
- Have your home inspected by a licensed home inspector with strong references. Make any repairs called for in the inspection
