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 spotlessly clean. Steam clean the carpets and clean the wood floors or tile. Wash the walls, windows and clean all the light fixtures in your home. Clean the dust off of the ceiling fans and polish the chrome. Clean all the woodwork. Dust your picture frames. Vacuum all of the cobwebs around the top of your cabinets, at the top of your vaulted ceiling, and any of those other hard to reach places. Clean your oven, refrigerator, and the microwave. ) Put those scrubbing bubbles to work in the bathroom. Clean behind the toilet. Make the beds every morning. You never know when you might get a showing. Do the dishes as needed. Clean them as you use them. Make sure your vents, window sills, walls, artwork all sparkle. Make sure everything in your home is simply beyond clean. Cleaning makes your house easy for buyers to explore and gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Be sure every room smells as good as it looks. Make your house look like new!
Repair
If there is anything in the house that is in need of repair, now is the time to put those handyman skills of yours to work. Everything from the loose cabinet handle to the leaky faucet needs to be addressed. Repairs, both large and small, eliminate buyers' objections before they arise. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are that buyers will, too. Buyers tend to think that repairs will cost more than they actually do. They may not realize that a dripping faucet may be easily corrected with a part that costs less than a dollar. Replace the carpet if it's worn. Your house will shine with new carpets. If your carpets aren't that old and are in decent shape you can just have them shampooed. If they are torn or tattered, get them replaced. You will recoup the cost of flooring in your main living spaces 99% of the time. Just remember that potential buyers will find these little defects and judge how you maintain a home by them. Nail down creaking boards and stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly and knobs on drawers are secure. Re-caulk tubs and showers. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to the look and feel of a home. A home with too much "personality" is harder to sell. Things to consider when picking out your paint colors: Lighter colors tend to brighten up a room and give it a larger feel. Bold colors can be very pleasing to your eye, but will they please the potential buyer? Help the buyer to visualize the home as theirs. Patch cracks and nail holes in the walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors, such as white or ivory. Neutralizing helps buyers picture their own things in your house and see themselves living there. Neutral paint, decor and carpet create a canvas for any lifestyle. Eliminating distracting colors and accessories lets buyers concentrate on important factors such as the room size and function.
Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Open the curtains or blinds during the day to maximize the natural light. Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Add lamps and lighting if the house is dark. Turn on the lights at night to create a welcoming environment for prospective buyers. Always maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house, even if you are away for an extended period of time.
Aroma
Your home should smell clean and fresh. Avoid cooking anything with a strong odor such as fish or cabbage while your house is on the market. If you are a smoker, do NOT smoke in your house. You may not smell the lingering odor of cigarettes, but non-smokers certainly will and it can be a real turn-off to a potential buyer. Fill the house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer or cinnamon in the winter. Take the time to add some fresh flowers to your foyer or entryway.
Exterior
Do the shrubs need pruning? Do you need to repaint? What's normal for you may be unacceptable to the buyer. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the house and remove dead plants. 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. Painting your house helps improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you decide against painting the entire house, 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.
One thing is certain - property condition is a major factor in selling your home quickly and at the highest possible price! It is one of the few things that you DO control in your home sale.
