SUCCESFULLY STAGE YOUR HOME FOR SALE
As Will Rogers once said, "You never get a second chance at a first impression". While Mr. Rogers was talking about people , it is also applicable to houses, especially when they are on the market for sale.
Don't wait to see if your home will sell before implementing our ideas. Your property needs to look good from the street, up the sidewalk, on the front porch, and throughout the house. Remember, buyers will choose the home in best condition.
Drive Up Appeal
Remember, landscape enhances, not hides
Trim overgrown shrubs Remove ivy growing on the side of the home Prune low-hanging branches Wash the mailbox Clean the flower beds: Remove weeds Have a distinct border between the flower beds and the yard Re-mulch areas in need Plant flowers, such as petunias to add color and beauty. Tidy up the front porch: Keep it swept on a regular basis Remove children's toys out from the front yard, the sidewalks, and the porch Invest in an attractive front mat to welcome prospective buyers Add character with flower pots containing vibrantly colored, blooming flowers Replace your doorbell if it isn't working Give the front door a fresh coat of paint
INTERIOR
The Absolute Basics
Air out your home and search for potential sources of odor
Wash the windows, inside and out Clean the window sills, the bottom of window jambs, and wipe the blinds Keep your home from looking dark Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb Open shades and drapes to let the sunshine in Make closets look like there's room for more Consider boxing up off season clothes Limit the amount of furniture in each room Straighten up the kitchen: Clean the oven and range Put new drip pans under the burners Clean around the seal of the door to the dishwasher Wipe down the shelves of the refrigerator Remove all pictures and magnets from your refrigerator Keep unnecessary items off your countertops Clean up the bathrooms: Bathtubs, showers, and sinks should all be freshly caulked Clean all grout and make sure it's in good condition There should be no leaks in faucets and traps Replace the shower curtain Put fresh, matching towels out in each bathroom Take down posters in bedrooms until after the house is sold Recognize the difference between decorator touches and clutter Keep the television off while the home is being shown Clean the ashes out of the fireplace during the season it is not in use Ensure the safety of the pull down staircase – it should be strong enough to be in use Consider donating unwanted items to charity Get a receipt and you can deduct the money from your taxes If you have a pool, make sure it's sparkling and free of leaves.
If You Want To Do More
Repainting is the number one improvement (make the walls light, make the trim white) Replace dated or unattractive light fixtures Remove non-neutral wallpaper in the entry, kitchen, and or bathrooms Put down new floor coverings or refinish your hardwood floors Wall to wall carpet the basement floor and stairs Give your kitchen a "face lift" if necessary
When It's Time For A Showing
Open the drapes and windows to let in daylight Keep lights on during the day in the darker areas of the house, or on cloudy days Turn on all outdoor lights, especially landscape and pool, if the viewing happens to be past dark Pick up newspapers and magazines laying around Make sure the countertops are free of unnecessary items Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and take out the trash Keep pets out of the way Make the beds and pick up clothes Clean up the bathrooms and put the toilet In the morning, leave the house as you would like it to be shown.
Final Note
Don't volunteer information to prospective buyers – Refer all questions to your Realtor.
Tell all your friends you're selling your home!
Cooperate with the agents.
As always, The Jane Fairweather Real Estate Resource Center is your community source for information, referrals, and guidance throughout this process.
