Preparing Your Home for Sale

While it is easy to get caught up in preparing your new home to be as perfect as it was in your dreams, don’t forget you still have to sell the one you are in now! There are some easy tricks and tips to getting your old home ready to sell that won’t take took much of your attention off your exciting project.

Refresh your front door

First impressions are key! Give your front door a facelift with a fresh coat of paint. Some color ideas you could try to add some character to your entryway:

• Cool Turquoise; think antique cabinet with a brilliant blue-green rustic paint
• Bright Yellow: bad mood repellant and a burst of sunshine
• Stately Red: bold and classic – try pairing with an ocean blue trim
• Powder/Mint Blue: pale but not boring
• Soft Grape: Nontraditional colors can trigger emotional responses

Don’t be afraid to commit to a color just because it will not work with the indoor living color scheme. Doors have two sides and can be painted two colors!

A Clean Exterior

• A well-groomed yard is a clear message to potential buyers that your home was cared for and well maintained.
• Make sure all of your lights are in working order. Check bulbs and ensure that a used up light bulb does not spark a concern that the issue could be wiring. Do this both inside and out.
• Do not let the views be jeopardized! Wash all windows inside and out.
• Clean out your garage and rid of all nonessentials. Consider getting storage unit to store these items while your home is being shown.
• If the climate and weather permits, add a pop of color by planting some flowers. Along with your well-groomed grass, it will make the house feel more welcoming, bright and well maintained.
• Remove any of the lawn ornaments you intend on taking to your new home. Keep all others to a minimum; you want the potential owners to have more freedom to envision their own take on the yard.
• Replace the old worn out welcome mat with a new and inviting one to welcome potential buyers as they tour the home.
• Paint or replace the street numbers on the house to make them more visible and fresh.
• Power wash out door surfaces such as siding, sidewalks, and the driveway; such a simple task can give the house a “like new” appeal.

A Tidy Interior

Clean everything! Buyers know that there is someone living there, but they want to be able to picture themselves in the home. That can be very hard to do when they are distracted by dust or small messes.

• A purpose for every room. Even if your “bonus” room has no defined purpose, for the showing, give it an identity to help the buyers brainstorm their own potential for the room.
• Let the natural light shine through! Bright rooms are more warm and inviting. When blinds are drawn, the rooms can feel gloomy and often times appear smaller than they are.
• Fix anything that is broken! Buyers will notice every little thing and may offer you less for your home even if the repairs are minor and seemingly insignificant.
• Decluttering is not just for the garage! Keep it light and minimal. Thin out your closet and pantries to show how much room is available to potential buyers.
• The top two things you can do to make your home more appealing is fresh paint and new carpet. It will make your home sell faster and for more money.
• Organize the kitchen, storing any nonessential items and small appliances. Show off the spaciousness and clean all surfaces – even the pesky top of the fridge.
• Before the doors are open and the home is shown, empty all trash cans and hide all dirty laundry.
• Check all of your doors and windows and ensure they open and clothes smoothly. Fix any squeaks – buyers will notice that right out the gate.

If it helps, go through your home as if you were a potential buyer. Be critical and analyze every little thing you can to help spot some possible deterrents as well as some potential areas you can emphasize to make the sale.