Ways to Prepare Your Home for Sale
One of the first things that needs
to be tackled is curb appeal. The
buyer needs to be drawn in. A large
percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take
it seriously based on its curb appeal—the view they see when they drive by or
arrive for a showing. Tackle clean
up and repair chores first, then put some time into projects that make the
grounds more attractive. Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or
driveway. Stow away unnecessary
garden implements and tools and clean windows and gutters. Decks and siding should be pressure
washed. Vegetation should be
removed that is growing between concrete or bricks and the lawn should be
mowed. Leaves should be disposed of
even if your lot is wooded and tree limbs should be trimmed that are near or
touching the home's roof. One way
to improve evening curb appeal is to add lighting. Add a decorative street lamp or an
attractive light fixture to a front porch and make sure lighting that's visible
through front doors and windows enhances the home's appearance. If you can budget it, a fresh paint job
does wonders. Drive around your town to find color schemes that are
appealing. Another great addition
is an attractive front door. If you
can't justify the cost of a new door, consider replacing plain doorknob hardware
with something more appealing.
If new hardware is still beyond your budget, repaint or stain the door and polish the hardware.
The next step is to make your home welcoming. Your house has to feel like a home to the buyer. All clutter needs to be removed. Put away small kitchen appliances and other items that are sitting on countertops and tables. Remove photographs and other small items from tabletops and organize closets and cabinets. Closets and cupboards should appear very roomy. The house needs to be de-personalized so buyers can imagine it as their home.
The stage needs to be set before the buyer even walks in the door. Lighting is very crucial. Make sure curtains are drawn, blinds are open and lights are on. Music playing lightly in the background is also appealing and make sure a pleasing aroma permeates every room.
One of the most important things is to make sure your home is easy to show. Agents will first ask a buyer what they are looking for in a home. The agent then puts together a list of homes to show to the buyer. Generally, the agent will show the buyer houses that are easiest to gain access to first. Homes that are listed as being lock box, no appointment needed will get shown more often. If you can't do a lock box, you need to make it as convenient as possible for an agent to show your home. If they call, do whatever possible to accommodate them. It's also best to leave when your house is being shown. Buyers won't feel comfortable with you there.
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