Get
Your Home Ready To Sell
In preparing your house to sell,
ask yourself over and over if your house looks like someone
else's dream house. Houses in move-in condition tend to be inviting
to buyers; houses that are in like-new condition typically sell
fastest and procures the best price because it outshine the
competition.
With that in mind, here are a few
things to consider as you look over your house when getting
ready to sell:
Exterior
Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the time you have
to create a good first impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves,
trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the house, and
remove dead plants. It will probably be easier to sell your
house if the buyer can see it, outside and in. Pick up tools,
garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials and store
them neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts.
Clean all windows and mend torn screens. Paint your house, if
necessary. This can probably help improve curb appeal more than
any other fix-up! If you decide against painting the entire
house, at least consider painting the front door, window frames,
and shutters. Seal or resurface the driveway and repair broken
steps and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and post.
Dress up the front yard with some simple landscaping.
Clean,
Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were
seeing it for the first time. Every room should be neat, spotlessly
clean, dusted, and uncluttered. Steam clean the carpets and
wax the floors. Wash the walls, windows, and light fixtures.
Tighten loose stair railings and clean all woodwork. In the
event that you feel a project of this magnitude is better left
to a professional, ask your real estate agent to recommend a
professional cleaning service.
Entryway
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house.
Fill the house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries in the
summer or cinnamon in the winter, or some other fresh scent.
Living
Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It costs money, but
you may find that you will more than recoup that cost when the
home sells. Patch cracks and nail holes in the walls, and repaint
walls in neutral colors, such as white or ivory. Nail down creaking
boards and stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking
doors. Open all curtains, and replace them if they are getting
old. Add lamps and lighting if the house is dark. Set out fresh
flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms look more spacious.
Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture to a storage
unit. Remember, too much furniture and too many knick-knacks
make rooms look cluttered and small. One or two decorative items
per surface is plenty, so pack the rest away. Visit model homes
for decorating ideas.
Kitchen
and Baths
These rooms should sparkle! Clear off counters, and clean all
appliances and fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk
tubs and showers. Clean these rooms thoroughly, and be sure
they smell fresh!
Closets
Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway
when you move. Organize shelves and straighten shoes. Be sure
that sliding doors operate smoothly on their tracks and knobs
on drawers are secure.
Utility
Room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust and wash
off the water heater.
Light
and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace wallpaper
with white or off-white paint, and repaint shabby or dark walls.
Open the blinds, and replace broken windows and window seals.
Always maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house,
even if you are away for an extended period of time.
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