Preparation is the key to selling your home quickly and with the most interest from buyers. Getting your home ready for the market can take a few hours or it could take several weeks. I will create a custom list of things that I recommend you do to get your home ready for sale, but in the meantime, here are some things you can begin to focus on in order to make your home appealing for the widest range of buyers.
INSIDE:
- Wipe down baseboards, trim, and make sure all corners are clean. Touch up with paint if needed.
- Oil door hinges, tighten door knobs and cabinet pulls
- Have carpets professionally cleaned, or possibly replaced if damaged (we can assess)
- Repair any dripping faucets and leaky toilets
- Replace all burned out light bulbs and clean all light fixtures
- Repair defective light switches and outlets (you may need to have an electrician help!)
- Clean the oven, inside of the microwave, and the fridge.
- Clean all cabinets – get rid of what you don’t need, pack away what you aren’t going to need while you are still at the house, and stage what is remaining. Wipe down cabinet interiors. Yes, buyers will open them.
- Clean closets – remove what you aren’t going to need for the next 90 days and neaten the rest
- Get rid of clutter – this means collections, papers, stuff that doesn’t have a home, and anything that is out for the world to see
- Determine hidden places to put mail, newspaper, paperwork, and all those day-to-day items that cause ongoing clutter
- Touch up all interior paint or repaint what cannot be touched up
- Wash windows and mirrors
- Double-check for cobwebs
- Of course, give your home a thorough cleaning!
OUTSIDE:
- Cut and edge grass
- Trim hedges and weed gardens
- Paint, fix or wash railings, steps, storm windows, screens and doors
- Clean out the gutters
- Wash the windows
- Tidy up the garage
- Make sure siding looks good, clean, and touch up exterior paint as needed
- Make sure garage door is in good working order and provides good curb appeal in terms of color
- Plant fresh flowers and tidy up any planting containers with fresh plants and mulch
- Add fresh bark or mulch to garden beds
- Pressure wash driveway and walkways as needed
- Make sure all outdoor lighting is in working order and is free of cobwebs
