Getting Your House Ready to Sell
Take the time to get your house in tip top shape before it's shown. It will pay off!
Interior
Paint any rooms needing paint. Use neutral colors.
Clean carpets.
Make sure your stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and garbage disposal are in good working order. If your cabinets are in bad shape, get them repaired. Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen counter tops. Clean out drawers, cabinets and pantry. Clear refrigerator of magnets, pictures, messages, etc. Add a small potted plant. Keep squeaky clean!
Remove all clutter from the bathroom counter tops, tubs, showers and toilet. Keep toilet seat down. Replace or repair leaky faucets and toilets.
Add a few decorative towels.
A good mildew remover and grout will take care of unsightly tile.
Remove the stains in the sinks and the tubs.
Take down personal photo's and pack them away. Allow potential buyer's to visualize their own belongings in the house.
Replace burned out light bulbs.
Clean your windows.
Clean out closets.
Remove excess furniture.
Discard junk from garage and storage areas.
If possible, try to do your smoking outside during the entire time that your home is on the market. You could actually loose a sale to non-smoking buyers.
Keep the drapes and blinds open. Let as much light into the rooms as possible. Before all showings, turn on all lights and lamps.
Have a few flowers or greenery in the house.
Keep the temperature at a comfortable setting.
Have the fireplace on if it's a cold day.
Turn the television off. Have soft music playing from morning to evening if you are out during the day.
Exterior
A good first impression is important. A house's "curb appeal" is how it looks to someone driving up to it for the first time. Pay extra attention to the front door area.
Repair screens and windows
Keep the lawn mowed, fertilized, and the yard free of clutter. Move all garbage cans, and debris.
Keep the walkways and steps free of ice, snow, toys and leaves. Turn your porch lights on when showing your home in the evenings.
Prune bushes and trees. Keep plants and trees from covering windows. Clear sweet gum balls and limbs. Clean gutters of leaves.
Remove all dead trees, and plants.
Remove all small items from the deck or patio. No charcoal, toys, utensils, or flower pots. Clean lawn furniture.
Weed and add fresh mulch to landscaped areas.
If doors are hard to open and shut or they squeak, lubricate them.
If your hot water heater or furnace needs replacing, do it. Add the cost into the price of your home. New buyers don't want the hassle right after moving in. This would also give them the option of financing the added cost - something they couldn't do after the sale.
Check the fence on your property. Repair and paint it if necessary.
How about those cracks in your driveway? If it's blacktop, have it resealed.
It's important to leave when your house is being shown.
Visit a neighbor, or take the dog for a walk. Don't interfere with the real estate agent showing your home. Your buyer's will be more comfortable, and will stay longer.