6 Ways to Prepare Your Home For Sale

1. Unclutter your home. Make sure your home is neat and orderly. Cleaning your home and removing items that are not needed will make your home feel spacious. Organizing storage areas can show potential buyers that your house has enough space for them.

• Does each room in your house feel spacious?
• Is your house clean from top to bottom?
• Pre-pack all items that you do not need while selling your house.
• Pre-pack off-season clothing and items.
• Decide where you can store your boxes and extra items.
• Organize your garage.
• If your basement is unfinished and used for storage, make sure it looks organized.
• Organize closets and cabinets.
• Empty all wastebaskets.

2. Pay attention to décor and lighting. Make sure rooms are well-lit, and keep décor as simple as possible. Depersonalizing a home can help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Focus on turning your house into a “model home.”

• Make sure there is enough lighting in each room.
• Remove extra or over-sized furniture that could make rooms look smaller.
• Repaint walls a neutral colors.
• Remove all personal and family photos.
• Pre-pack books and music that do not appeal to a wide range of buyers.
• Pre-pack your collections.
• Remove and pre-pack any items that could be potentially offensive or disagreeable.
• Store away and organize children’s books, games, and toys.

3. Make all necessary repairs. Take an objective look at your house to determine what updates and repairs are necessary. Establish a timeline and budget to determine what needs to be completed to improve the overall presentation of your home. Buyers today are looking to purchase a home that does not require work.

• Determine a timeline and budget.
• What updates have you been putting off?
• What repairs are needed?
• Repair or replace all broken or damaged items.
• What condition are the windows in?
• What condition are the permanent light fixtures in?
• What condition are the doors and trim in?
• Do you have any holes or cracks in your walls?

4. Boost curb appeal. Buyers will judge how well your home is maintained by its exterior. The outside of the house will leave a lasting impression on buyers when drive by or see photos online. If the exterior of your home is attractive, buyers will be more eager to view the inside as well.

• Are any major repairs needed?
• Are any minor repairs needed?
• Make a list of what needs to be done.
• Sweep or shovel walkways, driveways, patio/deck (salt in the winter).
• Maintain front, back and side yard.
• Place flowers or winter arrangements on your front porch and/or in front of the garage.
• Remove all festive lights and decorations.

5. Pay attention to air quality and odors. Buyers want to envision themselves living in the house, and if the home is not offered in a manner that will allow them to do that easily, most will move on. Poor air quality or odors may make it difficult for buyers to focus on the positives of your home.

• Check for mold or mildew.
• Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace if needed.
• Avoid cooking with strong seasoning and foods that have a lingering smell.
• Let fresh air in.
• Avoid smoking indoors.
• Eliminate pet odors.

6. Pets. Some buyers may be allergic to or afraid of your pets. Removing or hiding evidence of your pets may make it easier for buyers to envision themselves living in your home.

• Remove your pets while the house is on the market.
• If your pets must stay in the house, hide any sign of your pet during showings.
• Remove any signs of the pets (e.g. food and water bowls, toys, leashes).
• Keep the litter box cleaned and out of sight.

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