Here are some ideas to get your home ready to sell

 

The Yard

1. Mow it often enough to keep it looking neat. Toss some grass seed on bare spots. It won’t take long to sprout and buyers will appreciate you made an effort to improve the area.

2. Keep flower beds free of weeds.

3. Cut back overgrown shrubs. Especially ones that cover doors or windows.

4. Pick up dead tree branches.

5. Got a fish pond? Clean it! The same with bird baths.

6. Stack up the firewood in a nice neat manner.

7. Remove piles of anything unsightly, such as old bricks, tires, junked cars.

8. Make sure your shed looks nice.  Even inside.  Paint it if necessary.

9. Check all outside lights to ensure they work properly.

10. Have dogs? Make sure their “mess” has been cleaned up.

11. If you have a patio, arrange your furniture in a way that looks attractive and friendly. Not lined up in a row.

 

The Driveway and the Walkways

1. If you have a gravel drive and dirt/grass is showing through, consider having a load of rock delivered and spread. You would be surprised how a small investment will make it look so much better.

2. If you have a paved drive, make sure all cracks have been repaired. Kill any grass that is growing in any crack. Do the same for any concrete sidewalks or brick pathways.

3. Remove the basketball goal.

4. Prune any tree limbs that can drag on a car or SUV that pulls in your driveway.

5. Look at your fence. If it needs paint – paint it. If it squeaks – oil it. If the lock is broken – fix it. A fenced in area can make or break a sale.

 

The Outside of Your Home

1. Repair and paint any shutters or handrails that might need it.

2. Make your front entrance as attractive as possible. It is the first impression of your home. Polish the knocker and kick plate. Replace house numbers if they are worn or cannot be seen from the road.

3. Remove peeling paint. Chalk where needed and repaint. Little cost but BIG return on your investment.

4. Fix any broken fixtures.

5. Remove any wasps’ nests or cobwebs. But BE CAREFUL.

6. Consider purchasing a few hanging baskets for the front porch and patio. But don’t go overboard.

7. Clean the gutters (or better yet – have them cleaned by someone that is used to climbing up on a house).

8. Consider having your home power washed. Especially if over 30% of your home is vinyl.

9. Does the light in your doorbell button work? If not, replace or repair it. Make sure the bell rings. Folks like to hear the bell ring – it is like kicking the tires on a new car.

10. Make sure all doors latch smoothly and completely. Locks need to be in perfect working order. A spot of lock graphite makes them work a smooth as silk.

11. If the door handles are tarnished, polish or replace. Make them sparkle.  It is what your house "shake hands" with.

12. Busted screen on the door or back porch? Have it fixed at the hardware store. Don’t fix it yourself unless you really know how to get the screen super tight. A sagging screen is as unattractive as a ripped one.

13. Yes – wash the windows. I don’t like to do it either but your windows are the eyes of your house. Make them pretty. And if the drapes are in bad shape, replace them with something neutral but pretty.

 

Inside the House

1. Slate Entry or foyer? Make it shine with a little slate oil.

2. Carpet dirty? Have it PROFESSIONALLY cleaned. The $300 will be a wonderful investment. If the carpet is worn, consider replacing it or offer a decorating discount.

3. Clean every room and remove the clutter. You want that “hotel” look where you are the guest to feel welcome.

4. Have the kids marked the walls up with their jelly fingers? A quick coat of paint is well worth the time and expense.

5. Clean all glass fixtures – especially the ones with glass globes. And don’t forget to replace any blown bulbs.

6. Closets – pack as much as you want in them but make sure that they are organized and stacked. Don’t throw your junk in them.

7. House pets (and don’t we love them?). You can’t let the house smell like you have pets. And ask a friend to come in and see if the smell is still there because you are used to it and won’t know if the house smells or not.

8. Do you smoke? See Number 7. The same is true except it is going to be harder to get rid of that smell. It gets in your clothes, drapes, carpet. So if you ever needed a reason to stop smoking, this is it!

9. If you have taken down pictures, take down the nails and fix the hole.

10. Stairs squeak? Get a flooring person to come in and quiet those squeaks.

11. If you have a fireplace, clean it. Don’t ever leave a fire in the fireplace for show purposes.

12. Clean your desk and computer area – a little. Make it look like you use it but make it organized.

 

Special Place – Kitchens and Bathrooms

1. It must be spotless. Pretend your kitchen is one in your favorite restaurant. Make it look like you hope that one looks. (Caution – do NOT go and look at the kitchen in your favorite restaurant. You won’t like it!)

2. Put the pots and pans away in the kitchen. Do the same with the rubber ducks and toothbrushes in the bath.

3. Get the coffee maker and toaster off the kitchen counter. Take the pills bottles out of the kitchen window. Purchase new bath towels and put them up in the bath. (Put them away after the showing.)

4. Clean the oven – especially if it has a glass door. Make sure the light inside is working. The stove top MUST be spotless.

5. Wash the floor. A rug or two is usually OK.

6. If any faucet drips, have it repaired.

7. Mildew is a killer. Get it out of there.

 

Garages and Basements

1. Garages and basements are traditional clutter catchers. Straighten them up.  Organizing them really make them look big.

2. Stack items. If you have shelf systems, use them. Take this as an opportunity to get rid of that rake with the broken handle that you were going to fix.

3. Make sure access to the water heater, furnace, and other systems is well lit and clean. Every purchaser is going to want to see those systems and later the home inspector will be more likely to give you a good grade if it is clean and neat.

4. If you have oil stains on the garage floor, consider painting and then using pans (or park the junker like I drive on the street).

 

Make a List of Your Extra Features

1. What makes your home special to you? Make a list of the extra features. You would be surprised at how many things YOU take for granted that make a home special to others. Take a look around. Include things like:

· Central Air-Conditioning with special filters

· A whole house central vac

· An irrigation system

· Built-in anythings in the kitchen

· Pull out shelves in the kitchen

· A convection oven or double ovens

· Oversized refrigerator

· Wine cooler

· Trash compactor

· A security system

· Special outdoor lighting

· Intercom.

· Home Theater sound (just the wiring is a big deal)

· Gas Fireplace (especially if you have one in rooms other than the den)

· A water softener

· Pocket Doors

· Upgraded windows (especially ones that tilt in for cleaning)

· A deep sink in the garage or laundry room

· A “mud” room

· Recent improvements such as a new roof, water heater, AC, etc.