Prepping your home To Sell
1.) Invest in a professional home inspection. The cost of a home inspection is worth every penny simply because of the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about unexpected issues or repairs. Prospective buyers see this as a sign that the home is well cared for and establishes a foundational level of trust.
2.) Repair any significant deficiencies found during the inspection. Buyers and their agents tend to drastically overestimate the repair costs and often use any necessary repairs as a leverage tool for negotiating a lower price or other concessions after the initial offer has been accepted.
3.) Hire a licensed professional to make necessary repairs. Any good buyer’s agent will advise their clients to require this for any repairs as well as written documentation of repairs made and receipt of payment.
4.) Cut the Clutter. Remove magnets, pictures, souvenirs from refrigerator. Use the general 2/3 rule of everything on any flat surface in your home. Since you are already planning to move, this is a wonderful time to donate unused items, get rid of things you do not use or want and start packing for your new home. Store boxes in a rented storage unit rather than in your garage.
5.) Take time to do a deep cleaning of every part of your home. If you can afford to use a cleaning service, you will find that outsourcing this cumbersome task will free you to take care of other aspects of your move.
6.) Pay Attention to detail. Don’t forget to clean baseboards, tps or doors and doorframes, as well as your carpet, hard floor coverings, and grout.
7.) Clean and polish woodwork and cabinetry. This is especially important in the kitchen where most buyers plan to spend the most time.
8.) Clean light fixtures and replace burnt out bulbs. Consider changing to brighter bulbs if the fixture is rated for higher wattage than your current bulbs. Dead bugs and cobwebs detract from the appeal of the home and often indicate neglect to buyers.
9.) Thoroughly clean all windows, windowsills and screens. For the best impression, both the outside and the inside should be cleaned regularly during the time your home is on the market.
10.) Paint. While you may have great taste and love your usual colors schemes, most buyers prefer to see your home as something of an empty canvas that they can customize to their own liking. It is very difficult for most people to see “past the paint”, so make it as easy as possible for them to fall in love with your home. Fill in nail holes and repaint walls that are less than stellar condition. Buyers want everything “move in ready” so the more you do to assist the process, at least in their perception, the easier it will be to sell your home.
11.) Rent a storage locker. Any unnecessary furniture, collectibles, kitchen items, equipment, etc should be removed from the home to provide the maximum amount of space.
12.) Rearrange the furniture to create more space. You may need to remove furniture from a room to open it up but consider simply moving things around in creative ways. A professional home-stager can also provide suggestions and advice for staging your home.
13.) Come out of the closet – buyers want space. Lots and lots of space. So, help them picture the closets as large enough for their clothes and extensive shoe collection.
14.) Pets. Pet urine inside a home will drive away prospective buyers like nothing else. For small areas, treat with enzyme-based treatments, but realize that the only way to eliminate odor, the carpet and padding must be removed and replaced. Be ready for the request to either change the carpet or provide a carpet allowance. Outside keep the yard free from pet waste, pick up messes daily.
15.) Hire a professional carpet cleaning service to clean all carpeted areas. Most companies will also clean drapes, hard surface flooring and grout.
16.) Check your curb appeal. Stand across the street from your home and look at the exterior and the yard as if you were planning to buy your home. Buyers will notice smaller details than the homeowner, so use a critical eye or borrow a friend who will be honest with you.
17.) Update your landscaping. In addition to making certain the lawn is neatly trimmed and edged, pay attention to flower beds, trees, and scrubs. Remove and replace dead or dying plants and add fresh mulch if necessary. Highlight specific trees, bushes, flowers you may have.
18.) Exterior spruce up. Rent a high-quality pressure washer or hire a professional to improve the look of your home’s exterior. Do not forget to clean all porches, decks, windows, gutters, and eaves as well as the walls.
19.) Shut the front door. At a minimum, clean the door and hardware. Consider painting the door, doorframe, and polish or replace existing hardware.
20.) Lubricate hinges and use graphite spray in the locks. Make it easy to get into the home by ensuring that the lock functions freely, hinges swing smoothly, and it does not sound like entering a haunted house because of squeaky hardware.
21.) Add potted plants and/or colorful flowers to your porch or front steps. Even small entryways can benefit from greenery, and it gives the impression that the home is well cared for.
22.) Keep a clean welcome mat to encourage visitors to wipe their feet. It is also a subtle psychological suggestion that they are home.
23.) Inspect all windows and screens. Repair or replace screens with holes or tears. Imaginary expenses add up quickly, so remove as many potential objections as possible.
24.) Clean the gutters and check for loose or missing shingles. If you do not have gutters, consider having them installed.
25.) Replace or repair any broken windows or windowpanes. Broken glass is not only a huge turn off, but also a safety and security risk.
26.) The backyard oasis. Remove clutter and unnecessary items from your backyard to highlight the maximum amount of room. Fill in any holes and clear any stray toys, trampolines, lawn maintenance items or other objects that can be tripped over, stepped in, or hide snakes. Create a sitting area around a firepit or keep a clean patio table and chairs near the barbecue grill. Secure pool gates to keep young children from entering the area while parents are checking out other areas.