Preparing your Home For Sale
There is not a seller on the market right now who doesn't want their home to sell for top dollar and as fast as possible. Careful planning,preparing and knowledge of how to professionally fix up your home to show it’s best features can make that happen. Prepare to learn the top tips to turn your home into a fantastic marketable home.
Preparing to Disassociate Yourself With Your Home
Perhaps one of the toughest parts of preparing to selling your home is the disassociation process of selling. Simply put, you need to save your best memories in your mind but begin to think like a motivated seller. Preparing to visualize yourself handing over the keys and warranties to the new buyers and also visualize the buyers handing you back a large check. This may provide you the incentive needed to take this step.
De-Personalize
Put away those family photographs. You want to think about preparing buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here." And preparing to move in mentally as they are viewing the property.
De-Clutter!
Chances are that you haven't used it in the last 6 month to a year, you probably don't need it so be preparing to get rid of the junk! If you don't need it, why not donate or throw it away? Remove all books from bookcases. Pack up those knickknacks, clean off everything on kitchen counters, prepare essential items used daily in a small box and store in a closet.Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will need to do.
Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets
Buyers will open closet and cabinet doors so begin preparing by thinking of the positive message it sends when a buyer sees everything well organized. It says you probably took good care preparing the rest of the house as well and inspires confidence. This means alphabetizing spice jars, neatly stacking dishes, turning coffee cup handles facing the same way, hanging shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction and lining up shoes in closets.
Rent a Storage Unit
Most homes show better with less furniture so consider preparing to remove pieces of furniture that block walkways and put them in storage. Now that your bookcases empty, store them. Preparing to remove extra leaves from your dining room table will make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to establish the room's purpose and lots of room to move around. You don't want buyers needing to ask what this room is used for.
Remove/Replace Favorite Items
Preparing to take down or move out the items you are taking with you when you move or risk having them become part of your negotiation.
Make small repairs
Fix leaky faucets
Fix kitchen drawers that jam
Paint your walls neutral color
Replace expired light bulbs
Make the House Sparkle!
Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior
Clean out cobwebs
Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks
Polish chrome faucets and mirrors
Clean out the refrigerator
Vacuum daily
Wax floors
Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures
Bleach dingy grout
Replace worn rugs
Hang up fresh towels
Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows
Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no
Scrutinize
Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside?
Linger in the doorway of each room and imagine how it will look to a buyer.
Move furniture pieces around until it makes sense.
Make sure window coverings hang level.
Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact?
Check Curb Appeal
If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because they don't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside.
Keep the sidewalks cleared.
Mow and maintain the lawn.
Paint faded window trim.
Plant yellow flowers pots together. Marigolds are very inexpensive.
Trim your bushes.
If you are considering preparing to list your home for sale, and would like a comprehensive review of your property and many more selling tips, please contact Mike or Jill Kohler from Century 21 Chapman Agency at 215-741-3131 or just send us a quick email at: Info@PaRealEstateForSale.com for a
Free Consultation.
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Mike & Jill Kohler
215-741-3131
or
Info@PaRealEstateForSale.com
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