How to Prepare your Home for Sale

You are giving me such an honor when you allow me to list your home, one of your most prized possessions. I take this privilege seriously. Therefore, I'd like to give you some tips which have proven valuable to homeowners in preparing their homes for showing.

Inside:
Begin with a thorough housecleaning from top to bottom. Throw out or donate unused items in storage areas and closets; and eliminate clutter to give your home a more spacious look.

1. Walls need to be clean and free of smudges, fingerprints, dents and picture nail holes. A fresh coat of paint should be considered if a good cleaning does not work. Inspect all walls and woodwork for problems.

2. Arrange furniture to make each room as attractive and spacious as possible. If a piece of furniture is badly worn, store it temporarily with relatives. You may want to think about moving some of your furniture out of each room. If you do so, the house will seem larger.

3. Wash windows, sills and blinds until sparkling clean. Curtains and drapes should be freshly laundered.

4. Shampoo rugs and carpets. Hardwood floors should be clean and hopefully, gleaming.

5. Repair loose doorknobs, sticking windows and doors, and warped drawers.

6. Fix leaky faucets and eliminate water discoloration in sinks and tubs.

7. Tighten loose stair banisters and be sure steps are free of clutter.

8. Light fixtures should be in good repair. Replace cracked or discolored switchplates.

9. Clean out closets to display their roominess. Be certain clothes are hung neatly and shoes and other objects tidily arranged.

10. Bathrooms should be sparkling clean. Repair caulking in tubs and showers.

11. Bedrooms should be neat with attractive comforters.

12. Clean, organize and declutter the basement, attic and garage.

13. If you smoke or have pets, make sure the house does not smell or have fleas.

14. Clean out the fireplace.

Outside:
Because the exterior of your home will be the first thing a prospective buyer sees, it is very important to create a good first impression. Follow these guidelines to improve the overall exterior of your home.

1. Keep the lawn cut, trimmed and edged. Weed flower gardens. Trim shrubs and remove dead trees or branches. Pick up any debris, toys and lawn equipment.

2. Repair any fences or gates and give them a fresh coat of paint.

3. Is the outside of the home itself well painted, the roof in good repair, as well as the gutters?

4. Wash down driveways and sidewalks. Check them for cracking and crumbling.

5. Replace any cracked windows and torn screens.

6. The entry whould be clean and in good repair. The doorbell and front light must be in good working condition.

7. Add flowers in a pot by the front door or along the walkway.

Do Not Over Improve:
Sometimes, families tend to live with a cracked window or a leaky faucet. These little things need to be fixed because prospective buyers prefer a house to be "move in ready".

It is not wise to do major improvements which you think will enable you to get lots more for the house than you paid for it. Usually, you will not be able to sell your home for much more than the average price in that neighborhood....no matter how many upgrades you have added. Certainly, a paint job where it is obviously needed will be well worth the cost. The same is true of shabby carpeting that could be a turn-off.

Showing the House:
1. It is best if you can arrange to leave when your house is being shown. If nothing else, walk outside while the prospective buyers look through your home.

2. Leave the tv and radio off, so that they do not distract the buyers.

3. Pets need to be outdoors, please. This will allow the prospect to focus on your lovely home.

4. Leave drapes and blinds open for light and airiness. If it's in the evening, turn on all the lights and lamps to give the rooms a larger appearance and a cheerful effect.

5. Keep the kitchen sink free of dishes and rooms uncluttered.

6. Be sure the kitchen and all the appliances are especially clean and free of bad cooking odors. Run a lemon through the disposal, and put baking soda in the refrigerator.

Visits:
Agents should call before visiting to make sure it is convenient to show. If agents do not call ahead, please, be as accomodating as possible. Obviously, the more showings that you have, the more chances you have of getting an offer. After showings, I will contact the prospect's agent for good and bad reactions, which I will relay to you.

Keep in mind how important curb appeal and first impressions are. After you have inspected and repaired your home, have an honest friend take an inspection tour. Heed this friend's advice concerning minor repairs and painting.

Another way to judge the "showability" of your home is to visit local, model homes in new subdivisions. There, you will see the kinds of designs and colors which are currently selling. Also, you'll see a clutter free house.

I will contact you weekly with updates on visits, calls and advertising. I look forward to selling your home as soon as possible, for the highest possible price with the least hassle to you.

Call me, Sharon Wyant Walden at 803-432-0333 to get started.