Preparing Your House for Sale

“What do I have to do to get my house ready to sell?” is one of the first questions we are asked by almost every home seller, because everyone wants their home to sell fast and bring in top dollar. Most people expect that they will need to do some repairs that they have been meaning to get to, some cleaning, de-cluttering, depersonalization and staging so their house shows to its best advantage.

One of the services we offer is to go through the house with you and suggest all the things that you could do that will increase your value. We understand that not every seller is able to invest the time, money, and energy it may take to make their home “perfect” for sale and we want to make it clear that it’s ok – if what we need to do is sell your house without you doing a thing to prepare it for the market, we will find a buyer who will be excited about it “as is”.

If you are able to put the time and money into preparing for selling, we will make recommendations as to which projects and repairs should be undertaken (and should not be undertaken) prior to listing, and what furnishings should be removed or remain for the showings in order for you to get top dollar when it sells.

In general, there are several things that everyone can do to help their house show its best, and here is a list of some of our most frequent recommendations:

Depersonalize and De-clutter:

Most of us collect an amazing quantity of possessions and in time our houses become museums of our lives, displaying personal photographs and family heirlooms, knick-knacks and piles of books and papers.

Preparing your home for sale is about selling the experience of living in the house. Like model homes, homes show best sparingly furnished with few personal items and any pre-packing you can do will benefit you in the long run. Generally, anything that has not been used in a calendar year should be boxed up: display collectibles, off-season and ill-fitting clothing, countertop appliances that are not used on a regular basis, etc. Ideally you would rent a short-term storage unit and move all these items into storage, along with pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways. Bookcases can be emptied of books and placed in storage, along with ottomans, end tables, dressers. Almost every home shows better with less furniture.

Rearrange and organize the items that need to stay in the home: the clothing in your closets, food, and dishes in the kitchen cabinets, and even the inside of the refrigerator! None of these are exempt from the careful eye of the home stager!

Minor repairs:

It is of the utmost importance that the front door and surrounding area are in the best possible condition for showings, as the agent and buyers will be standing there while the agent accesses the lockbox and opens the door. Sagging screen doors should be replaced, siding should be washed, doors repainted, cheerful flowers in pots make a friendly welcome and something charming to look at while the buyers are waiting. Walk through your home and property trying to see it as an objective buyer would. Are there signs of maintenance that have not been completed? Squeaky door-hinges? Dripping faucets? Burned-out light bulbs?

Some of the most common repairs to consider:

• Patching holes in walls and repainting the interior walls in neutral colors (nothing too vivid; not white. We recommend Benjamin Moore’s “Manchester Tan” as a good all-around warm neutral or “Revere Pewter” if you are leaning towards the gray tones).
• Fixing doors that won’t close properly or kitchen drawers that jam, lubricating all doors, windows, closets, and cabinets.
• Freshly caulking around plumbing fixtures and fixing any leaking faucets.
• Replacing all the light bulbs, not just the burned-out ones, with fresh, higher-wattage bulbs. Pay attention to lighting color here: avoid the fluorescent tones and stick with warmer light options.
• Having carpeting cleaned or replaced if stained, worn, or dated.
• Spiffing up the roof! Get a roofer to replace any missing shingles and clean moss off your roof. Clean the gutters and ensure they are working properly and in good repair, and caulk to make them effective again if necessary.
• Cleaning and maintenance: Buyers may not think to vocalize it, but deep down everyone is looking for a house that is sparkling clean. If you can do nothing else to prepare your home for sale, clean your home from top to bottom. Or better yet, hire a professional cleaning service to help with this one!

In addition to a top to bottom cleaning, remember to:

• Wash the windows, inside and out, and the screens and storms.
• Rent a pressure-washer and spray down the steps, sidewalks and exterior.
• Clean out cobwebs from basements and garages.
• Polish faucets, light fixtures, and mirrors.
• Dust furniture, ceiling fans and blind slats.
• Bleach dingy grout, replace worn rugs and towels.
• Vacuum all floors daily, buyers will be asked to take off their shoes and will not enjoy dust, dirt and pet-hair sticking to their feet.
• Nothing kills buying desire faster than odors – pet odors, cooking odors, garbage, smoke, and mold. Whatever the issues are, finding and correcting them is a top priority. Don’t consider using air fresheners or cover up the smells, although burning a vanilla-scented candle while you are home can help make the house smell light and fresh. If strong odors persist, we do have a recommendation for a company that helps take care of odors by using a non-toxic enzyme that kills odor molecules. If this is an issue you need to consider, we will discuss it with you.
• Clean and touch up the doors, trim and baseboards where needed, this is a depth of cleaning that is often overlooked and makes a big difference!

The Exterior:

Landscaping and landscape staging is an important, often overlooked component in preparing your house for sale. The buyer has made 80% of their decision about your house before their agent ever opens the front door, so it is incredibly important that your home makes a fabulous first impression. While you may not be able to control every aspect of your curb appeal, there are things you can do to make the house look its best: