5 Tips to Start Preparing your Home for Sale

Things you can do to make a difference that simply cost you time.

1)    De-clutter, reduce, minimize!

a)     It cannot be said enough – you need to de-clutter!  You are selling your space, not your stuff!  Pack-up collections, family photos, items on counters and personal items.

i)      This is a great time to donate unused items before having to move with them.

ii)     Remember to sort out closets, basements and garages – these areas help sell homes, too!

iii)    If you have a lot of stuff, consider putting it in storage, it will really make a difference!

b)    Go through kitchen cabinets, drawers and the refrigerator.

i)      Remove items from the outside and on top of the refrigerator.

c)     De-clutter the outside of your house, too!  Remember, a photo of your house will be seen by many potential buyers looking online through a large inventory of houses on the market.  Make sure yours stand out against the competition and compel buyers to want to see more!

2)    Make your walls a clean slate!

a)     Fill any nail holes or small cracks with spackle.

b)    Clean walls. (The Magic Eraser works great!)

i)      Don’t forget to look up!  Ceiling get marks on them, too!

c)     Touch up any spots on the walls with paint wherever you used spackle.

3)    Get your home ready for a date!

a)     A date for a showing, that is!  Time for the vacuum!

i)      Vacuum the ceiling corners and all those little spots where webs and dust like to gather.

ii)     Next, vacuum lampshades, tabletops, electronics, window sills, baseboards, etc.

iii)    And, of course, before the big date – vacuum all the floors!

4)    Let some light in!

a)     Lighting is so important!!  It can make a big difference!

i)      Clean light fixtures – remove glass covers and ceiling fan parts and wash.

ii)     Check all light bulbs and replace burned-out bulbs.

iii)    Clean switch covers.  (The Magic Eraser also works well here!)

b)    Clean windows – inside and outside (when possible – it is Wisconsin after all!)

i)      Make sure windows treatments allow for light to come in, especially during daytime showings.

5)    Welcome your potential buyers!

a)     Make sure your house numbers are easy to find and read – you do want them to find the place!

b)    Clean-up your mailbox and the area around it.

c)     Touch-up your front door, paint if needed, WD-40 if squeaky and check outdoor lighting.

d)    Have a “welcoming-looking” welcome mat so that potential buyers feel right at home from their first step!

H  The next step would be to rearrange your furniture and accessories to enhance your home’s best features and help create an emotional tie with potential buyers (home staging)!  If you are short on time or need any help, contact Simply Redesigned to give you a hand!

Good luck and remember to show your home at its best!

The better your home looks, the easier it will be for a buyer to fall in love with it!

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