1. First Impression
Have a freshly painted or freshly scrubbed front door. Clean windows, doors, decks and porches. Install new door knobs, paint or stain trim and siding. Don't forget to paint the mailbox! Make sure all light bulbs are working, and light fixtures are clean. Lighting is very important for selling your home! Entrance area needs to be clean, uncluttered, and inviting, with the floors spotless. Clean bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen. Well manicured lawn and shrubs: Keep grass trimmed and edged. Trim shrubs and bushes, and add fresh woodchips. Plant flowers for added colors and interest. Invest in some quick greening fertilizer for lush green grass. Make sure basements and attics are clean and free of unnecessary items, buyers are always looking for storage space. Many buyers will pass on a home because of a creepy attic or basement. The better organized a closet the larger it appears. Make sure buyers can see the back of all closets and cupboards. Make bedrooms sparkle. Bedrooms sell homes so make them shine. For better atmosphere use best towels, mats and shower curtains. Get rid of excess furniture. The more space the better.
2. Invest in a Few Hours For Future Dividends
If woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh Wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Buyers would rather see a home that's finished than hear how it could look with a little work. Fix leaking faucets. Dripping water is not only annoying, but discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Fix cabinets or doors that stick in your home, this will stick in the buyers mind if not taken care of. Replace mismatched or poor fitting door handles and cabinet pulls. Secure any loose rails and steps. Install in new light switch covers; buyers will interact with these during showings. Worn covers show inattention to detail.
3. Home must be welcoming
Store away personal awards, posters, political items or anything that might distract the buyer from looking at your home. You want the buyer to envision his/her personal items there. Clean the fireplace. Take the extra leaf out of the table, and fresh flowers would be a nice touch to add to the center of the table. Clean curtains to let in lots of light. Clean the refrigerator; remove any magnets or artwork from front and sides. Cluttered drawers and cabinets should be cleaned to give the impression of lots of storage space. Empty and clean the inside of the dishwasher. Take the trash out daily. Keep toilet seats down. Remove pictures from walls, and make beds everyday. Make sure the kids toys are put away. Make sure smoke detectors are working, and make sure batteries are changed if they are low. Use slipcovers on mismatched furniture.
4. For a showing.
Never do laundry on the day of the showing; not a very welcoming smell. When it's time to show your home, lower the volume on the stereo or TV. Keep pets from getting in the way. Find a product to remove pet odors. Bake cookies or bread. Put vanilla in water and heat in oven on low heat. Run a half lemon through the disposal unit to give it a fresh smell. Have all the lights turned on.
