Get Your Home Ready to Sell: A Comprehensive Guide
Selling your home can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can make your house stand out without breaking the bank. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your home market-ready.
Spend Wisely on Home Improvements
It's easy to think that expensive renovations will pay off, but this isn't always true. Investing $5000 in remodeling doesn't necessarily add $5000 to your home's value. Focus on affordable, highly visible improvements like interior painting. Remember, significant renovations are best done when you plan to stay in the house, not when preparing to sell.
Tackle the To-Do List One Step at a Time
The sheer volume of tasks required to sell a house can be daunting. Break it down into manageable steps:
Declutter: Start with a garage sale. Donate unsold items to organizations like Disabled American Veterans or the Association of Retarded Citizens. Clearing clutter will help you see what else needs to be done.
Curb Appeal: First impressions matter.
- Regularly edge, mow, and fertilize the lawn. Reseed any sparse areas.
- Add a fresh coat of paint to your mailbox.
- Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
- Cut back overgrown shrubbery.
- Buy a new welcome mat.
- Check and repair cracks in the foundation, steps, walkways, walls, and patios.
- Power-wash siding or brick exteriors; repaint if necessary, especially if there is peeling paint.
- Ensure the porch light works.
- Clean and align gutters and downspouts.
- Inspect and clean the chimney.
- Repair or replace a faulty doorbell.
- Fix loose or damaged roof shingles.
- Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
- Remove oil stains from the driveway and garage.
- Keep walks clear of snow and ice in winter, and swept in other seasons.
- Repair broken outdoor steps.
- Add bright, potted flowers near the entrance.
- Keep the garage door closed.
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Store RVs, boats, and extra vehicles elsewhere while the house is on the market.
- Paint the front door.
Make the Inside Shine
Deep Clean: The importance of cleanliness cannot be overstated.
- Clean everything, including walls, floors, inside closets, and cabinets. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service.
- Remove clutter from countertops, closets, the garage, basement, and attic.
- Paint walls and ceilings in neutral colors like off-white or beige.
- Repair cracks, holes, and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
- Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork.
- Fix dripping faucets and showerheads.
- Update cabinet knobs and curtains in the kitchen.
- Shampoo carpets, scrub and wax linoleum, and wash and wax wood floors.
- Unclog slowly draining sinks and tubs.
- Clean out the fireplace and lay some logs in it.
- Mend torn screens and clean window tracks.
- Ensure all windows open and close properly.
- Replace burned-out light bulbs and use brighter ones.
- Check that all light switches work.
- Nail down creaking boards or stair treads by driving two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the joist.
- Lubricate squeaking doors.
- Remove excess, worn, or unattractive furniture.
- Thoroughly clean all appliances, especially the refrigerator and oven.
- Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.
- Clear cobwebs from corners and doorways.
- Wash light switches, handrails, and doorknobs.
Preparing for Showings
Ambiance: Create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.
- Keep draperies and shades open to let in natural light.
- Place fresh flowers throughout the house.
- Ensure the home is well-lit during showings.
- At night, turn on the porch light and any outdoor lighting in the back.
- Set out colorful, luxurious towels in the bathroom.
- Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.
- Store toys, bikes, wagons, and skateboards in the garage.
- Play pleasant music at a low volume.
- Spend the day of an open house away from home.
- Leave pets outdoors.
- If working with an agent, let them show the house without tagging along.
By following these tips, you can enhance your home's appeal and increase your chances of a successful sale without unnecessary spending. Happy selling!