Get
Your Home Ready To Sell
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 in like-new condition typically sell fastest
and procures the best price because it outshine the competition.
With that in mind, here are a few
things to consider as you look over your house when getting ready
to sell:
Exterior
Remember the sixty-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. It will probably be easier to sell your house if
the buyer can see it, outside and in. 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. Paint your house, if necessary. This can probably
help improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you decide
against painting the entire house, at least 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.
Clean,
Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were seeing
it for the first time. Every room should be neat, 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 professional 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, or some other fresh scent.
Living
Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or 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 move furniture to make your rooms look more spacious.
Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture to a storage unit.
Remember, too much furniture and too many knick-knacks make rooms
look cluttered and small. One or two decorative items per surface
is plenty, so pack the rest away. Visit model homes for decorating
ideas.
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 on their tracks and knobs
on drawers are secure.
Utility
Room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust and wash
off the 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. |
