Advice for Sellers

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Once you have put your home on the market for sale, there are a few simple things that you may do that make your property more attractive to potential buyers. Depending on whether you want a basic cleanup, a quick fix, or the services of a professional home stager, you can increase the purchase price of your home and facilitate a quicker sale.

The following is a list suggested improvements and maintenance for major areas of your property:

First Impression

Perform a walk through as though you were a buyer to gage your impressions

Depersonalize your house – give buyers a clean slate

Exterior and Interior

Remove clutter regardless of emotional attachment

Remove dirt, cobwebs, paint splash, etc.

Clean and polish door hardware and handrails

Clean wall switches and outlet covers

Add houseplants and flowers throughout house

Exterior

Trim trees and shrubs, remove weeds

Wash front steps, and porch

Make sure all exterior lights work properly and are debris-free

Clean or replace welcome mat

Wash windows and screens

Repaint house - Most dramatic way to make good first impression is through paint. It gives you the best value for each dollar invested. It is relatively inexpensive improvement that gives a dramatic increase in “curb appeal.”

Repaint or replace fences and gates

General Interior

Clean and Wax floors shampoo carpets, drapes and blinds

Repaint or touch up paint needed spots - Use neutral colors – whites, creams, etc

Make sure to wash away dirt, scrape off peeling paint, patch holes, and replace damaged wood

Bathrooms

Seal caulking around tub, shower, and toilet

Replace old toilet seats

Replace shower curtains

Clean tile and repair grout

Paint or wallpaper using neutral and light colors

Make sure drawers and cabinets open and close properly

Clean out medicine cabinet

Kitchen

Clean cabinets and appliances and refrigerator interior

Clear clutter from countertops

Make sure drawers and cabinets open and close properly

Make sure all appliances work properly

Home Tours

Always be ready, keep home clean and organized

Give the agent more time than necessary to show the space because buyers may arrive late

Pets should be out of house, preferable off of property entirely. No need to scare off a buyer

Pet odors should be controlled by keeping your pet in a specific area or outside

Hire the Services of a Professional Stager

Staging is the process of preparing a home for sale, with the goal of getting the most money in the shortest amount of time possible Staged Homes sell for an average of 3% or $26,000 over list price (and as high as 50% over in some markets)