Before you start showing your home, it is a good idea to make it as presentable as possible. This includes making some repairs and/or improvements. This stage of the selling process is call “pre-marketing”.
The first part of the home you want to check is the exterior, including the yard. First impressions are very important, especially with homes. You want the buyer to pull up to your house and say “wow”. For your back yard, make sure your lawn is green and mowed and clean your outdoor furniture. The front should be as inviting as possible so you want to do the same as you did with the back, plus more. Trim the hedges, give the fence a fresh coat of paint, and make sure the drive way is clean and free of clutter. You may even want to consider planting some bright colored flowers to make the front more welcoming.
As for the exterior of the house itself, it’s a good idea to touch up the paint. Make sure mail box is clean and the numbers a legible. You also want to check for any cracks in the chimney or walls and have them filled. Finally, you should repair any loose trim or drain pipes, and clean the windows and doors.
Next is the garage. This is pretty simple. All you need to do is make sure it is organized and clean the floor. You want the buyer to feel the garage is large, with plenty of storage space. If your garage is messy, buyers will be turned off.
Finally, you need to work on the interior. As with the outside, touching up the paint is a good idea. However, you may want to consider repainting in neutral tones. Most buyers want a home that is like a “blank canvas”, ready for them to make their own. Although you may love your deep red dining room, but if someone is not particularly fond of red, it can be a turn off. Carpets and drapes should be steam cleaned and all the light bulbs need to be working. In the kitchen, make sure the counters are and sink are spotless. Also clean the stove and oven. Make sure the bedrooms and closets are clean and organized as well.
Overall, you want the house to look very clean, bright, and inviting. It is also a good idea to hire an interior designer or home staging specialist, if your home in is a higher priced area.
I hope this provides some useful information, and as always, feel free to ask a question or leave a comment below.
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