A few small inexpensive steps could give your house the advantage over competing homes in your neighborhood and increase your chances for a quick sale.
The process of selling your home can be one of life’s most challenging experiences. The more prepared you are, the less overwhelming the selling process will be. Little things can mean a lot – look around your house as if you are seeing it for the first time and make a list of things that might discourage a potential buyer.
Make the first impression count!
hose down the sidewalk and driveway, in the winter, clean away snow & ice
trim lawn & hedges, remove weeds from cracks in walkway
reseed bare patches in lawn
secure loose shingles & repair loose eavestroughs
fix the doorbell
how does the front door look? Does it need to be scrubbed, or freshened up with a coat of paint? Replace any hardware that’s broken
keep the foyer clean & free of clutter
Replace burned out bulbs
Repaint damaged trim and touch-up scuffed woodwork around doors and windows
Clean and repair windows and screens
Check your curtains & drapes – if you don’t want to wash them, a quick swipe across them with the proper vacuum attachment might freshen them up
Oil squeaky doors & plane doors that stick
Tighten loose door knobs
Spot clean dirty finger prints from walls and door jambs
Dispose of excess garbage in the house & yard
Repair leaky taps & toilets (they give the impression of worn plumbing)
Repair damaged caulking or missing tiles in the tub or shower
Clean kitchen appliances inside & out
Remove clutter from kitchen counters & telephone centers
Clean or replace dirty or worn welcome mat or other floor mats
Clean exterior of laundry appliances & keep dirty laundry out of sight
Clean out unnecessary clutter in closets, attic, basement, crawl space & garage – Buyers appreciate storage space, but if it’s full, they’re less likely to see it
Clean carpets
If a potential buyer will be viewing your home today
Clean bathrooms until they sparkle & hang clean towels
Shine the kitchen sink
Freshen the air by using carpet & upholstery deodorizing spray, or achieve a pleasant aroma by boiling cinnamon sticks in water
During the day – leave drapes / curtains open – the natural light makes a home bright & cheery
In the evening – turn all of the lights on – inside & out
Make arrangements for your pets to be absent, or at least out of the way
Arrange to go out during the showing so that the potential buyers do not feel rushed and can have adequate time to fully appreciate your home
