How To Prepare Your House For Sale
1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home-You must adopt the attitude that
this is no longer my home and it is a house that I am going to sell. Don’t
look back—look toward the future and the positives that are going to come
out of selling this property.
2. De-Personalize-Pack up your personal photographs and family heirlooms.
Buyers can’t see past personal belongings and de-cluttering will only
lessen the amount of time that it takes to pack once the house is sold.
3. De-Clutter-If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it.
Remove all books from bookcases, pack-up knickknacks, clean everything
off of kitchen counters, and put essential items used in a small box that
can be stored in a closet when not in use. Get the children on board by
planning a yard sale—they will love getting rid of toys, clothes, games, etc.
and making some extra cash for their new room at their new home.
4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets-Buyers will snoop or
evaluate how well you have taken care of your home by your organization.
5. Rent a Storage Unit-Almost every home shows better with less furniture.
Remove furniture that block or hamper paths. Remove extra leaves from
tables. Arrange furniture in the appropriate rooms so that the potential
homebuyer is not asking “What is this room used for?”
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items-If there is anything that you do not want
to sell with the home, remove or replace it. If a buyer never sees it, they
will not want it.
7. Make Minor Repairs-Patch any holes in walls, fix leaky faucets, consider
painting neutral colors, replace burned out light bulbs.
8. MAKE THE HOUSE SPARKLE-VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
a. Wash windows inside and out.
b. Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
c. Clean out cobwebs.
d. Re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks.
e. Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
f. Clean out refrigerator.
g. Vacuum daily.
h. Polish and/or wax floors.
i. Dust all furniture, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures.
j. Replace worn rugs.
k. Hang up fresh towels.
l. Wipe down bathroom sinks daily.
m. Close toilet lids.
n. Clean and air out musty areas. NO ODORS!!!!!!
9. Scrutinize-Go outside and evaluate whether or not your home is
welcoming.
10. Check Curb Appeal-Keep sidewalks cleared, lawn mowed. Plant yellow
flowers!!!!! Keep bushes trimmed.