14 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Selling your home is a big financial decision.  So when it comes time to sell it is important to get the best value possible for your home.  Over the years working in real estate have have learned what many buyer look for in thier next home and so here are some tips for how to prepare your home for sale.  Interestingly, one thing that sometimes gets overlooked when selling a home is the presentation and staging.  These are important details because often times how clean and presentable a home is plays crucial role in determining a buyers impression of your home.

While putting a new fancy bathroom in your home or a new upscale kitchen will certainly impress buyers, surprisingly the details such as paint touch-ups can be very important as well.  And often small details like this give a much larger return on investment then do larger more expensive home renovations and improvements.

 

Tip # 1  Keep your Lawn and garden trimmed and tidy

The first such detail is; make sure the yard is neat and clean and the grass is mowed.  Nothing gives a worse impression to a buyer than pulling up to a home with an over grown lawn.  Alternatively, a neat well cared for front yard sends a good first impression as a buyer drives up to your home.

 

Tip # 2 Keep your exterior Trim look fresh with a new coat of paint

Secondly, make sure siding is clean on your home and the trim is nicely painted.  Although this can be accomplished in only a weekend with nothing more than a pressure washer and a can of paint the impact on buyers of a nice clean home with fresh paint on the trim can’t be underestimated.  Alternatively, your home might be beautiful inside but if the siding has green algae on it and the paint is peeling off the trim many buyers may discount your home before they even get through the front door.  Additionally, be sure that your front door and hardware are in good working order.

 

Tip # 3 Nothing makes a home look newer than a fresh coat of paint.

The third tip is, if your home has noticeable chips or marks on the interior paint it is well worth your time to do touch-ups, since spending an afternoon doing touch-ups can make the difference between whether a buyer thinks your home has nice paint or is in need of new paint and equally important chipped paint on ones walls can make a buyer feel that the home has been neglected and not well cared for.

 

Tip # 4: Uncluttered presentation is a critical component of maximizing the perception of spaciousness when presenting a home.

The fourth tip may be a bit obvious but if possible make sure your home is vacuumed, de-cluttered and cleaned before showings, even if you have a beautiful home if buyers walk into a your home and see dishes piled up in the kitchen and clothes on the ground etc… they will believe your home has not been well cared for and they will not value it as highly.  Clear countertops to maximize the impression of cabinet and countertop space, organized closets, keep bathroom toilet tops and countertops clear of clutter, uncluttered hallways and rooms all serve to maximize the presentation in a way that ensures the home is presented to its best advantage.

 

TIP # 5 Keep the kitchen clean and de-cluttered.

The fifth tip is that the kitchen is one of the areas of the home buyers consider to be most important. Consequently It is important to show your kitchen to its best advantage. Be sure countertops are virtually clear to maximize the impression of lots of countertop space in the mind of the Buyer. Toasters, blenders, coffee perks and can openers should be stored in a convenient out of site location – not on the countertop when you are selling your home. While recognizing this as somewhat of an inconvenience it will truly show this important room to its best advantage. to de-clutter your fridge door.  While many people enjoy putting pictures and calendars on their fridge doors, it is a turn-off for most buyers. When it’s time to sell it’s best to store the fridge door photo’s in a drawer.

 

Tip #6 Keep your baseboard and trim clean

The Sixth Tip is to dust your baseboards, if you have dirt and dust on the baseboards your home may be perceived as ‘dingy’ by buyers.  Bring-out the duster when it’s time to sell, it will be well worth your time.

 

Tip # 7 Arrange furniture in such a way that it promotes smooth traffic flow

The Seventh tip is that over time many people collect more and more furniture and personal belongings.  Unfortunately, too much furniture (or to large of furniture) makes your home look smaller and more cluttered in the eyes of many buyers. Thus, it is best to arrange your furniture in such a way that it promotes smooth traffic flow and be sure to keep paths, halls and walkways clear. It is not unusual to have a number of people viewing the home when it is being shown.

 

Tip # 8 Keep your home odor free

The eighth tip is, if you are a person that likes to burn scented candles leave them unlit for showings.  The reason for this is that buyers with asthma and other respiratory conditions may not be able to look at you home at all, as it may cause them difficulty breathing.  Additionally, many buyers may also think you are trying to cover an odor and will be suspicious of your home.

 

Tip # 9 Use neutral colors

The Ninth tip, is that if you are planning to repaint your home before selling, pick neutral colors that most people will like.  Although it can be tempting to put your favorite color on the walls, doing so can cause buyers to have a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it response’ and reduce the number of buyers that will consider your home, where neutral colors will be attractive to a far larger group of buyers.

 

Tip #10 Maximize your Home's lighting

The Tenth tip, is if you choose to put CFL or LED light bulbs in your home, try to choose lights that produce light that is a similar color to what older incandescent lights produce as this is what most buyers consider normal.  Having a super white or bluish light can give people an odd feeling about your home and can also make the colors in your home appear different, so best to avoid unusually colored bulbs if you are thinking of selling.  It is also often wise to use brighter bulbs in your lights when you are selling than what you may normally use – after all you want your home to be bright and cheerful not dark and dingy. Additionally, be sure that all light switches have covers on them and are in good working order so that buyers are confident your home has no electrical problems.

 

Tip # 11 Be sure your bathroom is clean

The eleventh tip is be sure bathrooms are sparkling clean. Once again clear countertops and organized drawers are the order of the day. Be sure that you fix any leaky faucets, loose cabinet hardware, drawer handles, chipped countertops or sinks and replace outdated or inefficient light fixtures. Be sure grout in shower and around the tub is sparkling clean and repair any cracked grout. Remove clothes hampers, be sure toilet seats are down and toilets are flushed and once again be sure that your bathroom is odor free for showings.

 

Tip #12 Clean and refurbish your carpets

The twelfth tip is to clean your carpets and re-stretch those areas which require it. Carpeting has a major impact on the look of a home. Be sure your home is vacuumed prior to showings. If there are areas that are badly worn, outdated or stained, consider having it replaced. Scrub and wax tile floors and repair or replace cracked tiles.

 

Tip #13 Keep your roof in good condition

The thirteenth tip is that, buyers pay close attention to the condition of your roof. Re-patch or re-shingle where necessary, and fix leaky, corroded or plugged downspouts and gutters. Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked—even if damage has been repaired.

 

Tip # 14 Clean and de-clutter your Garage and Driveway

Be sure your driveway and garage are clean and presented to maximize their size. Organize garagesand park extra vehicles away from the property.

 

Conclusion:

 

In conclusion, although taking care of the details in your home does not cost a lot it can certainly change the way buyers view your home and help your home sell for a higher price.

 

As always if you have any questions about selling your home please feel free to contact us, we can be reached through this website or we would be happy to speak with you, just call 604-882-8384.

 

Sincerely,

-Mitten Real Estate Team