Four Steps to Get Your Home Ready for Sale

Sunday, August 15, 2010

When Chris and I get that question from a Frederick Home seller, it has different answers, depending on the individual and their house. But there are a few general guidelines that are universal. There are several things that are not expensive, but are the most important. They have a huge return on investment (ROI) because for the most part, they cost your time and energy.

1. First Impressions: What the buyer sees when they first drive up to your house makes an impression through which the rest of your house is judged. Really. The easiest thing to do is to tidy up the front of the house. Clean up the old, dead plant growth, if you haven’t already. Clean the walkways and front steps, rent a powerwasher if neccessary. Repair wood rot on the trim, and above all else, paint the front door. Replace old dingy door handles and the kick-plate. A fresh coat of paint and welcoming entryway says, “this home is well-cared for.”

2. They want to see your house, not your stuff: Declutter! Rent a storage unit, have it hauled away, give it to charity, have a yard sale…whatever you need to do, get rid of it. After you’ve done that, go through your house again, and see if there is anything you missed. Pare down your closet, it looks like you have more space. Put away small appliances and crocks in the kitchen, make as much counterspace as you can without making it look barren. Pack away knick-knacks, collectables, and photos as much as you can. (It’s just a personal thing, but if you can, put fresh flowers out before a showing.)

3. Clean, then clean, and then clean some more: I’ve seen it with buyers over and over again, they can’t get past the dirt to see the house. Sometimes it helps to have a pair of fresh eyes to see the dirt we’ve just gotten used to. This includes shampooing the carpet, and cleaning the floors well.

4. A fresh coat of paint covers a multitude of sins: and it doesn’t cost that much. Make sure its in neutral colors. Avoid highly unusual designs, strong colors, or anything that is extreme. You want your space to look good to the widest possible audience, so aim for universal appeal.

These are the 4 most important things you can do, so make sure you do these before you start putting money into improvements and costly repairs. If you still need to work on some things, check out my next blog, you’ll be surprised to find out that you may not have to spend a fortune.

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The Highland Group
Chris & Karen Highland * 301-831-9947
Real Estate Teams, LLC
email us: isell4u2@msn.com
Text Us: 301-401-5119