If so you might want to take note and plan ahead. Getting your home ready is as important as pricing it right. Here is a list of things to do in your spare time to get your house ready to go. It may sound like a bit like ‘picking up the house for the cleaning people to come,’ but is it worth it.
Enhance the “Curb Appeal” of your home. Planting flowers, laying grass seed, painting doors and shutters will enhance the appearance of your home and will entice buyers to stop and take a look at the inside. Think of judging a book by its cover except that in this case, buyers will judge whether they go in your home by the look from curb.
Paint all rooms a neutral color. Home buyers are usually dual working families and they want to see the house as ready to move in. They will be turned away from houses that need a lot of painting and other work.
Clear off all kitchen countertops. Removing all small appliances, such as toasters, coffee makers and mixers from your countertops will make the space seem much larger.
Remove excess furniture. To make your living spaces seem larger and to have more floor space remove coffee tables and extra chairs from your home.
Replace outrageously colored and/or worn carpet. The same rules apply here as they did for the wall colors. It is best to choose inexpensive, neutral colored carpet.
Fix or replace anything that you think will fail an inspection. Too often home sellers wait until the inspection to replace or fix something. This will delay the process and can even turn potential buyers away. It is best to do it before you put your house on the market. Do a pre-inspection well in advance so you can take your time on the repairs. (save any receipts and permits).
De-clutter everything in your house. The cleaner your house looks, the more potential buyers will be attracted to it. The less clutter you have, the bigger your house will look. Remove any trinkets, magazines and excessive decorations from your house. Consider renting a storage unit to hold your extra “stuff.”
Be wary of personal items in the house. Don’t keep many personal items, such as photographs out on display. You want the buyer to imagine their family living in the house.
Be conscious of pet and cigarette odors. Air your house out when you are expecting a home buyer or are having an open house. It is also a good idea to bake cookies or a loaf of bread before home showings to make the home feel more inviting. No time to bake, dab vanilla on a light-bulb and people will think you just made cookies! If necessary, have the carpets shampooed to help remove odors.
Replace air filters. This will help keep dust to a minimum, which would be very beneficial on a day you are having an open house or a last minute visit is scheduled and you do not have much time to clean.
It is a good idea to hire a professional stager. The consultation is very inexpensive and with enough planning you can do a lot of the work yourself. Good luck!
