Studies show that prepared homes sell faster, and competition is fierce. Our goal is to “neutralize” or “de-personalize” your home so that a buyer can envision themselves and their belongings in their new house. The home you live in is very different that the home you’re trying to sell.
General
- •Pack away throw rugs and area rugs.
- •Store any oversized or extra furniture pieces. Less is more.
- •Make any small repairs that have been languishing on your to-do list.
- •Consider painting.
- •Pack up any elaborate window treatments, especially those that block light.
- •Have carpets steam cleaned.
- •Pack away any collections, religious items, school memorabilia, and family pictures.
- •Clean all light fixtures & replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- •Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to be honest with you about any odors in the home and then eliminate the odors. Paint or replace carpet if needed.
- •Fix all loose knobs, stuck doors or windows, and screens.
Kitchen & Baths
- •Eliminate everything you can from the countertops. It should be clean and as "empty" as possible. The only items that should remain in view are those items you use every day (and in the case of bathrooms, nothing should be visible). Put away all the small appliances and other items.
- •Clean out the refrigerator. Buyers look. Empty out half of every cabinet. They look there, too.
- •Clean, clean, clean! Remove all dirty dishes and sponges in the sink!
- •Repair caulking and fix dripping faucets and running toilets.
Bedrooms
- •Make the bed every day.
- •Empty out half of every closet. Buyers look in all of them and if there’s not room for your stuff, they assume there won’t be room for their stuff. (This goes for all closets throughout the house.)
Exterior
- •Straighten the doorway area, where buyers will be lingering as the agent unlocks the home.
- •Consider a new doormat and some potted plants. Paint the front door.
- •Prune shrubs and trees. Make the sure the yard is neat and grass is cut.
- •Clean the exterior lights.
Showings
- •Turn on all the lights (even during the day), open shades, and be sure the home is neat prior to showing.
- •Turn on the porch light at night.
- •Be as accommodating as possible, even on short or no notice.
- •Try to leave the home when it is being shown. If you can’t leave, then sit quietly in one room and let the potential buyers tour with their agent. Try not to engage in conversation, particularly about why or when you are moving. Direct all questions to your agent.
- •Email the agent’s contact information to your agent following every showing for follow up and feedback.
