Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

Congratulations! You have made the decision to put your home on the market; but now what?

Tip #1: Clean You may think your house is clean enough, but when was the last time you wiped down those baseboards, cleaned the outside of the windows, or even did a full dusting? You probably don't notice these imperfections, but buyers WILL. Making sure your home not only looks, but smells clean will go a long way in getting your home ready for the market. Consider getting carpets professionally cleaned, power wash the exterior, and hire a cleaning service to really do a deep cleaning that you will be able to maintain while your home is being shown. Another thing to consider is your pets. We love them, but sometimes they don't smell the best. Clean litter boxes everyday, and especially right before a showing. If you can, put the boxes in the garage while buyers are walking through, and move those dog beds while you're at it. Tip #2: Paint Paint is one of the least expensive changes you can make, and it makes a huge difference. I know you love your bright yellow and orange walls, but in order to appeal to the majority of buyers, you want to make the switch to light neutral colors. No need to repaint the entire home, just the rooms that obviously need it. *If you need help deciding, your Real Estate Agent should be able to give you advice* Alongside bad paint, old wallpaper is also something to consider removing. Unfortunately, wall paper really dates a home, and removing it yourself will actually make you more money in the long run. Many buyers have a hard time looking past cosmetic issues they do not like, and it might put them off. Tip #3: Kitchen Kitchens (and bathrooms) sell homes, and most buyers are looking for a large open cooking/eating space. If you have a smaller kitchen that cannot be transformed easily, no need to do a full remodel unless you will get your investment back. A few simple and easy things you can do to update include:

• New countertops

• Backsplash

• Updated cabinets (full cabinets, new facings, or repainting if in good shape)

• Update hardware and fixtures

• New appliances

Tip #4: Bathroom Make sure your bathrooms are clean and functional! Make repairs as necessary, and consider getting new toilet seats. Also, take a look at the grout and replace any that is cracked or non-existent. Easy bathroom updates can include:

• Update vanities

• New tile

• New hardware, fixtures, and lighting

• New mirror

• New shower curtain

• Flooring

• Tub re-glazing (much cheaper than getting a new tub)

Tip #5: Flooring Now is the perfect time to get new carpet or refinish your hardwood. Buyers are going to notice dingy, scratched floors, and it could turn them off. Consider replacing stained, old carpet, or expose the beautiful hardwoods that might be hidden underneath. Just remember, in the world of flooring, wood is King and will give you the biggest return on investment. Tip #6: Exterior The exterior of your home is the first things buyers are going to see; make sure it is looking nice! Get rid of overgrown weeds, plant new flowers and shrubs, and update your mulch or rock. You might even want to reconsider repainting the exterior of it is in bad shape. You will also want to look at your roof and make any repairs as needed. Buyers will find these issues in the inspection, so it's good to get ahead of the game. Tip #7: Pre-Sale Inspection If you're looking to get your home sold quickly, consider getting a pre-sale inspection. This inspection can help you identify issues that will come up later, and allow you to fix them ahead of time.