10 Things to do Before Selling Your House

Selling your home entails more than putting a "FOR SALE" sign on your front lawn or uploading a few pictures of your place.  So if you are getting ready to sell your home, it is time to do a little work!

Look through this checklist of things you should do in preparation to listing your home.  Some are very easy, while others require a bit more effort.  However, they are bound to pay off once buyers start oohing and ahhing over your place.

1. Consider your curb appeal

Buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover.  Therefore you will want to make sure the buyers first impression of your home is a good one.  Some easy fixes, like painting the front door, and planting some colorful flowers,will call prospective buyers to want to see more.

2. Declutter living areas

Less is definitely more.  Do a clean sweep of counters, tables, windowsills, and all other visible areas.  Clean closets, drawers and cupboards for those curious buyers. Take your excess stuff and donate it, or pack it up and store it off site.  If a house is overflowing with stuff, buyers will worry that the house won't have ample space for their own belongings.

3.Depersonalize your space

Remove personal items and family photos, as well as artwork or furniture that may make the house less appealing.  The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there.

4. Repaint walls to neutral tones

You will be pretty safe with neutral colors.  Light colors also allows buyers to envision what the walls would look like with the color of their choice.  It's the sellers job to help the buyers picture themselves in the house.  If they don't feel at home, they will keep looking at other properties.

5. Touch up any scuff marks

Pay special attention to scrubbing and touch up baseboards, walls, and doors to make the house sparkle and look cared for.  when buyers walk through a house, they want to fall in love with the house, not add a bunch of small repairs to their to-do list.  With  a home that is fixed up and move in ready, you will probably see more interest.

6. Fix any loose handles

The small things are easy to fix and will prevent a buyer from thinking "what else is broken here?"

7. Add some plants

Green is good when staging your home.  Plants create a bright and welcoming environment.  Bring some extra color and life to your decor.

8. Conduct a smell test

Slight odors can be a deal breaker.  If this is the case, do some deep cleaning.

9.Clean, clean, clean

Once you are done cleaning, clean some more.  You will want your property to look spotless.  Take special care in the bathrooms, making sure the tiles, shower, counters, and floor shines.  It is important when selling your home to keep everything tidy for buyers.

10. Hide valuables

Take care to put your valuables out of sight or store them off site.