Preparing Your Home for Showing
With buyers, first impressions count. A small investment in time and money will give your home an edge over other listings in the area when the time comes to show it to a prospective buyer.
Here are some suggestions that will help you get top market value:
The First Impression The Spacious Look
Curb Appeal
- Cut lawns
- Trim shrubs and lawns
- Weed and edge gardens
- Pick up any litter
- Clear walk & driveway of leaves
- Touch up exterior paint
- Repair gutters and eaves
- Pressure wash driveway/sidewalk
- Put garbage cans in garage or out of sight
General Maintenance
- Oil squeaky doors
- Tighten doorknobs
- Replace burned out lights
- Clean and repair windows
- Touch up chipped paint
- Repair cracked plaster
- Repair leaking taps and toilets
The First Impression
- Clean and tidy entrance
- Functional doorbell
- Polish door hardware
The Spacious Look
- Remove clutter (often a problem)
- Put toys away neatly
- Clear counters and stove
- Clear stairs and halls
- Make closets neat and tidy
- Store excess furniture
Spic and Span
- Shampoo carpets
- Clean floors
- Clean washer, dryer and tubs
- Clean fridge and stove
- Clean and freshen bathrooms
- Clean furnace
The Buying Atmosphere
- Be absent during showings
- Open drapes in the daytime
- Turn on lights
- Light fireplace, if applicable
- Keep pets outdoors
- Light a scented candle
- Play quiet background music
Is your house staged to sell?