Are you ready to sell your home but have no idea where to start? They say moving is one of the most stressful times in a persons life – tack on prepping a home for sale and it can be downright insanity. This is a common dilemma, but the more prepared you are, the easier this will go.
Here are my 5 tips on how to prep your home for sale so you don’t lose your marbles in the process:
- Declutter. If you only do one thing to prep your house for sale, make it decluttering. It’s the easiest and cheapest recommendation on the list and it makes the most difference. Of course, everyone has different ideas of what “decluttered” means. A true decluttering means clearing things off the countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, thinning out stuff on shelving, removing extra or oversized furniture, and putting personal items/toys out of sight. Decluttering serves two purposes: first, it may make your house feel larger than it is since rooms seem bigger when they are not crammed full of stuff. Second, potential buyers are better able to envision their life and belongings in the space. This should be the standard for how we live anyway – the simpler the better, but that isn’t always easy to do. The sooner you start combing through the excess and discarding it, the lighter you will feel. Plus your home will be much cleaner for open hoses.
- Landscape. The first impression a potential buyer gets is the outer surroundings of your home. Make sure to have it “manicured”. Mow the lawn, pick up leaves, pull out weeds and plant flowers and nice shrubbery.
- Deodorize. No one wants to walk into a kitchen and smell yesterday’s garbage. Make sure to neutralize all odors in the house, including the bathrooms, bedrooms and hallways. You may even want to hang a car freshener in the garage for good measure.
- Repair. One good indicator that your home was well take care of is making sure that all repairs are made before showing it. Add a fresh coat of paint, patch up any nail holes, fix that leaky roof. If you don’t have time, hire someone to do these tasks for you, it will be well worth the money spent.
- Shine. Clean everything. The counter tops, the walls, the trim, the carpets, the curtains. Make it all shine. I would even go as far as replacing your welcome mat with a new one.
The more outstanding your home’s condition is the faster it will sell, especially in a seller’s market. Preparation is key and don’t be afraid to ask for help or hire professionals that are more capable to get the job done.