- Disassociate Yourself From The
Home
- Emotionally let go of the home - the quicker you do this, the easier it will be to hand
over the keys later.
- View the home as a product by
saying to yourself, "This is not my home, this is a house - a
product to be sold just like a box of cereal."
- De-Personalize
- Put away all personal
photographs, family heirlooms, and small knickknacks.
- Keeps buyers from being
distracted and enables them to imagine themselves living in the
space.
- De-Clutter
- Remove accumulated
clutter. If you haven't used it in over a year, then you
probably don't need it.
- If you don't need it, you can
donate it or throw it away.
- Remove books from
bookcases/shelves.
- Pack up all knickknacks and
put them in storage.
- Clean everything off kitchen
countertops.
- Put essential items that are
used daily into a small box that can be stored in a closet when not
in use.
- Think of this process as a
head-start on packing you will eventually do later.
- Rearrange Kitchen Cabinets and
Bedroom Closets
- Inherent nature of any buyer
is to snoop which means they will likely open cabinet and closet
doors.
- If everything is organized,
you send a message to the buyer that the rest of the house is also
well-maintained.
- Bedroom Closets:
- Hang shirts together,
buttoned and facing the same direction.
- Use small storage
bins with lids to hide any miscellaneous clutter.
- Line up shoes.
- Kitchen Cabinets:
- Neatly stack dishes.
- Arrange all canned
products in an organized fashion.
- Turn coffee cup
handles so they all face the same direction.
- Don't forget to
organize items in the drawers!
- Remove and Store Furniture (If
needed, rent a storage unit!)
- Remove and store pieces of
furniture that block or hamper walkways/hallways.
- Now that your bookcases are
empty, store them.
- Reduce your dining room table
by removing extra leaves to make the room appear larger.
- Keep just enough furniture in
each room to showcase its purpose and plenty of space.
- Remove and Replace Favorite Items
- If you plan on taking items
with you such as window coverings, appliances, or fixtures, remove
them now.
- The reason behind this: if
the buyer never sees it, then he/she won't want it.
- If necessary, replace them
(especially light fixtures!) with generic brands.
- Make Minor Repairs
- Replace cracked floor or
counter tiles.
- Patch holes in walls.
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Lube the hinges on squeaky
doors.
- Fix doors that don't close
properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
- Consider re-painting your
walls using neutral colors.
- Replace burnt-out light
bulbs.
- Fix or replace faulty window
coverings.
- Make The House Sparkle!
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Spray down sidewalks and
exterior using a pressure washer (rent-able!)
- Clean out cobwebs.
- Re-caulk tubs, showers, and
sinks.
- Polish faucets and mirrors.
- Clean out the refrigerator.
- Wax hardwood floors and
wash/scrub ceramic floors.
- Vacuum daily. Consider
shampooing the carpet.
- Dust furniture, ceiling fan
blades, and light fixtures.
- Bleach dingy grout.
- Replace worn rugs.
- Hang up fresh towels.
- Clean and air out any musty
smelling areas. (Odors will repel buyers!)
- Be Your Own Critic
- Stand in your front
doorway. Does the house welcome you? Do you want to go
inside?
- Go from room to room and
imagine how your house will look to a potential buyer.
- Carefully examine how
furniture is arranged and move things around until you are
satisfied.
- Make sure window coverings
are not crooked and that they hang level.
- Verify Curb Appeal
- Keep sidewalks cleared.
- Mow the lawn.
- In the winter season, shovel
and salt the driveway, sidewalk, walkway, and steps.
- Paint faded window trim.
- Plant yellow flowers or group
flower pots together. Keep in mind that yellow evokes a buying emotion.
- Trim bushes and get rid of
any weeds.
- Make sure your house number
is visible.
You can take it one
step further and hire the professional expertise of a home stager.
Be
sure to view a home stager's credentials and before/after portfolio.
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