Have you ever considered what it takes to get your house ready to sell? With some careful planning and a little bit of work, you can be ready for buyers in no time. Here are some of the most important steps you can take.
Ø De-Clutter
o Get started on packing
o Remove your knickknacks
o Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean
o File all papers/documents and keep them out of sight
o Eliminate any piles of bills/magazines/junk visible on any flat surfaces
Ø De-personalize
o Pack away personal photos and artwork
o Make sure buyers aren’t distracted by looking at your things and not your house
Ø Rearrange your kitchen cabinets/pantry and closets
o Pack up everything that’s unnecessary
o Neatly stack your dishes, clothing, etc. Hang shirts facing the same direction
o Make sure there’s no chance of any items falling out of closets or cabinets when buyers open doors
Ø Rent a storage unit or a POD
o Store extra furniture (leave only what’s necessary in the room – less furniture means the room looks larger and has a clear purpose)
o Remove your boxes of clutter and put them in storage
o Store all your boxes of extra kitchen/closet/clothing/personal items
Ø Remove and replace items you’re not including in the sale of the house
o Take down favorite curtains/rods
o Remove any chandeliers or mirrors and put up replacements
Ø Make necessary minor repairs
o Replace light bulbs
o Replace cracked tiles if possible
o Patch holes in walls
o Paint walls neutral colors to appeal to many buyers
o Fix leaking faucets
o Re-caulk bathtubs/showers
Ø Clean - a LOT
o Eliminate pet odors, cooking odors
o Wash windows – inside and outside
o Vacuum everyday
o Put out fresh rugs and towels in kitchen/bathrooms
o Dust – windowsills, tables, shelves, ceiling fans, etc.
o Clean out the refrigerator – buyers will open it
o Clean mirrors, sinks, chrome
o Polish stainless steel refrigerators – get rid of fingerprints
o Gather up appliance warranties for the new home owner
Ø Take an objective look around
o Make sure mirrors, curtains, etc. are hanging level
o Is the house inviting? Clean? Enough light?
o Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes – is it appealing
o Re-arrange furniture if necessary
o Consider getting professional help staging your home
Ø Curb Appeal
o Mow the lawn
o Weed flower beds
o Plant some flowers if possible
o Trim shrubbery
o Freshen up paint & trim if necessary
o Make sure porch lights/exterior lights are working
Ø Finally…Try to let go of your emotions for the home
o Get excited about the new home you’re moving to
o Try to imagine the house is a product that you’re selling
o Letting go will give you the advantage of being open to offers and not making decisions based on emotions instead of the facts
By Sarah Bracken - sarah@brittmorrishomes.com
Our company, Dream Home Staging LLC, prides itself in turning your home into a buyer's dream home. Our last client referred to our services as making her house look as good as if it was it's wedding day. If you are in need of staging assistance, please don't hesitate to call Heather at (972) 795-3347.
Posted by: Heather Ransom | May 15, 2008 at 08:33 AM