Preparing Your Home for Sale

There are many things that people look at when buying a home including price, location, and size of the house. Here are a few things you can do that can really help you make it more appealing to potential buyers:

• Leave! - Potential buyers can talk freely with an agent without the presence of the current owners. Don't be at home during a showing or open house. Your absence will put buyers at ease so they'll feel free to linger and ask questions.
   
• Neutral colors - When the walls are white or tan, it's easier for buyers to visualize their belongings in your house.  These colors suggest newness and cleanliness. Nothing makes a home look newer faster than a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors such as beige, white, off-white and gray have a broad appeal to prospective buyers.
   
• Let there be light! - Provide the best atmosphere possible. Open all curtains and turn on every light. Bright rooms are cheerful to a prospective buyer. If a room is dark, it should be kept as light as possible by using light curtains. Bright bulbs should be used in poorly lighted rooms, especially the basement.
   
• Keep quiet - Noise can be very distracting. It is best to keep all televisions, radios, and appliances turned off.
   
• Create curb appeal - The first thing the potential buyers see is your home from the street.  Keep the grass cut, the sidewalk swept, put the tools and toys away, simply make the outside as clean as the inside. In winter, keep walks free of snow and ice.  Paint or stain the front door to look fresh and inviting. Adding color with annuals and a new doormat brightens the home and welcomes buyers.
   
• Restrain Pets - Your home will make a better impression if there are no pets around.
   

The Cleaner, the Better!

Clean and straighten - Everything should be shiny and clean, walls should be painted (if needed), beds should be made, rugs should be vacuumed, and windows should be washed. Everything in the house should be the way you would like it if you were moving in. Make everything neat, including storage areas.

A disorderly room looks small and leaves an unfavorable impression. The buyer is often unable to visualize how much more attractive an orderly room will appear.  Furniture can be removed to make the room appear larger and allow for a clear traffic pattern

• Kitchen:
• All counter tops should be washed.
• Remove messages and pictures from the refrigerator door.
• If the kitchen floor is worn or outdated, consider installing new flooring. 
• Put out a nice tablecloth, and fresh flowers.
• Remove all but necessary items from the countertops.
• Be aware of smells - Deodorize your home before showing it.  Consider fresh-cut flowers on the table.  The smell of fresh-baked bread works wonders, too.
   
• Bathroom:
• Repair dripping faucets.
• Keep fresh towels in the bathrooms
• Remove stains from fixtures 
• Unclog slow drains
   
• Living areas:
• Have all walls in good repair.
• Check ceilings for leak stains; Fix the cause of the damage. Repair the ceiling and paint.
• Remove ashes from fireplace and wood stoves and clean the chimney.
• Have all windows in working order. Replace cracked glass. Mend torn screens.
• Replace burned-out and dim light bulbs with bright ones. Make sure every light switch works. 
• Clean the carpet and drapes as needed and polish floors.
• Neat bedrooms help sales.  Use your best bedspreads and have the dresser and tabletops neatly arranged. Try to make a child's room minimally personal and make sure it is safe.
• Neat closets look larger and give a good impression. If some closets are overcrowded for the homeowners, buyers will feel they are too small for them.  Closets should be cleaned out and out-of-season clothes stored in the attic or storage room.
• Use potpourri to freshen the air. 
• Lubricate any squeaking doors. For sliding doors and drawers that stick, rub the tracks with paraffin.
• Pack collections and family pictures that may distract the buyers.
   
• Basement, Attic, Garage:
• Clean attic, basement and garage and dispose of those items you are not moving. 
• Package the things you won't need until you're settled in your new home.
• Make sure the stairs to the basement are well lighted.