Prepare Your Home
Experts say that a well prepared, maintained, cleaned, and staged home will sell for 10-20% more!
After many long and challenging conversations, you have decided to sell your home. It's an emotional decision, and one that is best for you and your personal situation.
How can I SELL MY HOUSE FAST and for the BEST PRICE?
If your home is anything like mine, it is well lived in! My home has toys in every room, family photos displayed on the walls, and boxes strategically stacked to the max in the basement. We live here and there is nothing wrong with that. People don't 'live' in model homes, but when you are selling your house, you need to treat your property as a product.
Preparing your home for sale will take you at least a few weeks.
I recommend beginning your preparations about 2 months ahead of listing if you can.
The button below will take you to the page where you can Download the Homecoaster guide on getting your property show ready. Feel free to print and use as a check list!
First impression is the key to sell your home!
Did you know that a buyer judges a property within the first 8 seconds?! This means the first impression is the most critical. I suggest that you stand on the sidewalk in front of your home. Imagine you are a buyer just walking up to the house. Attempt to critically analyze your home's curb appeal with your personal sentiments removed.
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1. Trim back any and all shrubs and tree branches.
2. Freshly mulch any gardens and tree beds.
3. Rake up any dead leaves and debris.
4. Add some fresh flowers to give a pop of color.
5. Put a fresh coat of paint on your front door.
6. Power wash walkways, siding, and decks.
Property Maintenance
A buyer will most likely have a home inspection done. Making sure all of your systems are serviced will help smooth the process. Make sure that you receive documentation of all the work you have professionally completed.
1. Have a professional roofer inspect your roof. Make any necessary repairs, and have them provide you with a roof certification. This will be huge appeal to prospective buyers!
2. Make sure your heating and air conditioning systems are serviced and are functioning properly.
3. If you have a wood burning fireplace, have the chimney swept.
4. If there are obvious defects in walls, ceilings, or floors be sure to have them repaired BEFORE you list your house.
5. Make sure all door knobs and hand rails are secure.
6. Consider purchasing a home warranty.
De-Clutter and De-Personalize your home
You want a buyer to mentally move into the house when they come to tour the property. This is very difficult to do when they are distracted by all of your stuff! Remove your sentimental attachment and remember this is a business transaction that needs to be presented professionally.
1. Storage Unit: It's a great idea to find storage outside of the property. Remove any and all items from the house that you don't need for your day to day. This includes extra furniture! Also move all the bins and boxes from your basement or garage to storage.
2. De-Clutter: Go room by room and make sure there is NO clutter. Clutter makes a room feel smaller.
3. De-Personalize: Remove all family photos from the walls and shelves and either box them up or tuck them into a drawer out of sight. Pack away any trinkets, memorabilia, or collectibles and put them in storage.
4. Kitchen - There should be NOTHING on your counter tops! Pack away any appliances such as toaster ovens and counter top microwaves.
5. Bathroom - Place all of your toiletries in a bin so that you can easily hide them away when a showing is scheduled.
7. Basement/Garage - Often an after-thought, but a clean, spacious basement and garage is important. Remove all boxes and random items. Have the walls and floors cleaned and consider having them freshly painted.
Clean, Clean, Clean
A clean, bright home speaks volumes to a potential buyer. It will give the positive impression that the home has been well cared for.
1. Odors: Remove any strong odors that may exist from smoke or pets. This is an immediate turn off to buyers!
2. Floors: Vacuum carpets, polish hardwood floors.
3. Kitchen: Deep clean counters, cabinets, and appliances.
4. Bathroom: Deep clean vanity, bath/shower, and toilet.
5. Dust: Clean all the baseboards and window sills. When you live in a home, you don't always notice the dust collecting. Buyers are studying the home and dusty surfaces will catch their eye!
Light Sells Homes
Buyers LOVE a bright home! Go room by room and critically analyze how bright it feels.
1. Maximize natural daylight. Dark drapes must go! Open all curtains and blinds before each showing and let the sun shine in!
2. Take note if there are any large bushes outside a window that are blocking the light from getting in. Trim any bushes/branches back as needed.
3. Consider painting walls with soft, neutral colors.
4. Add lamps to rooms that need extra light.
Home Staging Helps to Sell Fast
I'm going to be honest and let you know that sometimes OVER staging a property can actually be a turn off! Buyers may feel as though the owners are hiding something or are desperate if they go too crazy on the staging. However, some level of staging is important to making a great impression on buyers.
1. Make sure the entryway of the home is inviting.
2. Remove any extraneous furniture from the home and place in storage.
3. Make sure each room is set up as it's intended purpose! For example, if you use a spare bedroom as your home office, it is best to stage it as a bedroom.
4. Place live plants and freshly cut flowers in the home. Fake plants and flowers are not recommended.
5. Add some soft, colorful throw pillows in the living room and bedrooms. Use big fluffy comforters on beds (even if it's the middle of the summer).
6. Tasteful decorations help the home feel more expensive. Choose some beautiful wall art, well organized shelf decor, and nice light fixtures (remove any dated lamps).
Preparing your home for sale is not easy. It takes time and hard work, but it will pay off! Experts say that a well prepared property typically sells for 10-20% more than those that are not. Maximize your property's value by making an honest effort toward it's presentation!