1. Capture the Experience
Albeit your anticipation to be out with the old, and move into your new dream home, its a great idea to keep memories of those inconceivable, dramatic, comical and frustrating times. Take some photos prior to doing a major cleanup, though. You’ll want to remember it in the raw before you transform it into a sale able property.
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Use up old arts and crafts being purged anyways to make a scrapbook of your previous homes memories.
2. Represent
To ensure a smooth real estate transaction, it is important to choose a Realtor that you trust to handle all aspects of the transaction. From accessing your needs to analyzing your situation, they will execute a specific business plan to effectively reach your goals. It is important to be comfortable having discussions with your Realtor, you are spending time with them handling a very important aspect of your life.
3. 3 ft below
Your animals and children, although under 3ft tall, still pack a punch. These little rascals can be destructive, so after repairing any obstructions to the house, keep their belongings out of sight and the smells at bay for showing appointments.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cosmetic issues, like holes in drywall and chipped or peeling paint are easy to fix and can make a BIG difference when you’re trying to make a quick sale.
4. Landscaping
Removing dead branches from trees, pulling weeds, painting fences and fixing driveway cracks will begin a welcoming Buyer’s experience with your home. Your first impression is the most important, so woo them from the second they see the home. Clean cut from the outside in.
Look at your home from a Buyer’s perspective. A well-kept yard, neat shrubs, appropriate outdoor lighting and proper footsteps will enhance the appeal before they even see your front door. Start simply and clean up!
5. Clean
Accept it. You’re never going to be able to list your house successfully without cleaning it first. Pack while you clean to kill two birds with one stone!
Get down to the nitty gritty by moving furniture, thoroughly washing your blinds & curtains and getting behind your kitchen appliances. Scent is a subtle influence in our subconscious, so why not bake a cake before you clean your stove?
Check out this recipe for a yummy stovetop potpourri
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Lose the gross factor by beating mould and mildew in your bathrooms and kitchen. The green and gray stuff is disgusting and can really make your home look filthy. If you have discoloured caulk, replace it. Dispose of mildewed shower curtains, too.
6. Depersonalize
We are visual creatures! Make it easy for potential Buyers to visualize their families in every room. You want your house to be neutral so that anyone could imagine living there — without you. Aim to display a clean slate with tasteful decor. After you declutter, Staging is one of the most important aspects of The Listing Process.
Have you ever noticed how model homes are often furnished and decorated? All the rooms look beautiful and enticing. They draw you in. Why? Because, although all the rooms in the model home look great, they’re also impersonal. There’s no uncomfortable sense that you’re in a stranger’s home. You can easily see yourself living there. That’s exactly what you should strive for when preparing your house for sale.
You can’t get rid of every personal item. That would be impractical. But there’s a lot you can do to depersonalize your home. For example, you can:
- Take down family pictures
- Clear items from the fridge door
- Store trophies in a box
- Erase how tall marks from your kids growth (after you photograph it perhaps)
- Remove personal knick knacks and similar items
- Keep only general titles on a bookshelf and store the rest.
The more easily buyers who can see themselves living in your home, the more likely they are to become interested in it and make an offer.
7. Declutter
It may seem like a daunting task to get started but once you get through one room, you will get in your groove. Decluttering is a task that should be started (and finished) long before you list your home. Start with a box, end with a spic and span space!
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A good rule of thumb is to get rid of (or hide) 30 percent of your stuff in preparation for showing your home. That means stashing away extra chairs, storage boxes, plants, magazines, electronics, clothes, exercise equipment, small appliances and books. Get crafty and use an ottoman or futon for hidden storage!
8. Curb Appeal
It won’t be easy to sell your house if your mailbox tilted and weeds are inhibiting the walkway. Spruce up the outside of your house to impress Buyers, not disguist them! If you’re planning on listing your home, you have to lure people inside.
9. Get Estimates
We’re talking your big ticket items like the furnace, roof or air conditioning if they need replacing. You may not be prepared to overhaul worn-out items now, but knowing how much it will cost could give you an edge in negotiations. You know, they say they want a sly $10,000 off the asking price when you know an update will only cost half that.
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Think neutral. Neutral paint, carpeting, window treatments and countertops will help create a look that’s tastefully conventional. It may not be you, but it will help make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Find out which renovations you will get the best return on!
10. Find your papers
Before you exhaust yourself trying to get the fingerprints off the walls, locate all the important papers you will need to entice a potential Buyer. The operating manuals for your appliances and HVAC system, which paint colours you used on your walls and any applicable warranties are important to have on hand.
While you’re at it, pull out your old utility bills. Those seasonal totals may help make your home look more appealing then the ‘competition’ also for sale in your neighbourhood.
