The first impression of a house on a prospective buyer is the most important. The first thing a salesperson should do is clean, clean, and then clean some more. Freshly painted walls and doors will also have a positive impact.
This article will provide home sellers with specific tips on how to prepare a home for a successful sale. It is based on real-life experience reviewing hundreds of available homes for sale and listening to homebuyer feedback and opinions.
1. Mowing the lawn; keep it well bordered; trim bushes; remove weeds. Curb appeal is important. Most home buyers form an opinion about a property before they even walk into it.
2. Paint front door and polish or replace front door hardware and mat. The front door is one of the first things a potential buyer will see when they come to view the house. Make it look nice and attractive.
3. Make sure the doorbell works with a nice chime and can be heard from the front door.
4. All lights must be working; replace bulbs as needed. Consider cleaning light surfaces to ensure they have the brightest light possible. Consider increasing the wattage of the light bulbs. Make sure all rooms have strong lighting. Don’t try to hide blemishes with low lighting. it does not work
5. Replace cracked screens and broken windows.
6. Repair cracks, holes and discoloration of walls; consider painting the house. It is usually money well spent. This is probably one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve the appeal of your home to a potential buyer.
7. Clean the driveway and garage of any stains. Consider borrowing or renting a pressure washer if you don’t have one. If possible, move boxes and other things from the garage to a storage unit. Clutter in the garage may indicate that the house is too small and the garage is being used for storage.
8. Parking vehicles in the garage or on the street; keep the road clear.
9. Consider adding some color to your front yard; Potted plants and flowers can help improve the first impression of the house.
10. Make sure the garage door works smoothly.
11. Shampoo or replace rugs; Neutral colors on the floor help you sell your house faster. Large home improvement companies often have great deals on carpet installation.
12. Clean floors, particularly caulking on tile floors.
13. Fix squeaky or sticky doors and windows.
14. Tighten all cabinet doors and repair/replace any loose door or cabinet knobs. Consider replacing the knobs if the old ones are worn.
15. Paint the interior of the house a light neutral color or white as it makes the house look larger and cleaner. Consider painting one or two accent walls.
16. Make windows sparkle and clean window coverings.
17. Repair all leaky faucets and newly sealed tubs and showers.
18. Make sure all toilet seats are new or look new and are securely fastened.
19. Replace shower curtains.
20. Make sure the fans are working properly without excessive noise or vibration.
21. Make sure all kitchen appliances are spotless and working properly.
22. Remove and store all clutter (photos, knick-knacks, and collectibles) in the house; you are showing your house, not your things.
23. Organize and clean all closets, pantries, and storage areas. When buyers see clutter, they often think that there isn’t enough storage space in the house.
24. Remove extension cords from sight.
25. Keep the washer and dryer empty. Most people feel uncomfortable seeing other people’s clothes.
26. Keep the laundry room clean and tidy.
27. Replace air conditioner air filters.
28. Make beds; Wash the dishes; empty bins.
29. Put away the toys.
30. Put “display towels” in bathrooms.
31. Freshen the air; scent of potpourri or baked bread; deodorize pet areas; set a comfortable temperature.
32. Consider having some fresh flowers with you at all times.
33. Turn off the television; play soft music in the background. Light jazz or contemporary music works very well.
34. Open curtains; turn on the lights. The rooms will seem larger.
35. The pool and spa, including equipment, must be kept clean and in working order.
36. Water sources must also be kept clean. If possible, turn on water fountains during the screening.
As you go through the process of selling your home, keep this list handy and refer to it before each appointment to show it.