If you’re considering listing your home, remember, this is your chance to make the best first impression possible and charm buyers by creating a wonderful atmosphere as they compare your home to others available on the market. Here are some simple and significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal.
Create Curb Appeal
- Keep grass cut, trim trees and remove all toys and clutter from yard.
- Weed and add mulch to flower beds along with a few seasonal flowers.
- Power wash your home’s exterior; clean windows inside and out.
- Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
- Buy a new welcome mat and keep front porch swept.
- Place potted flowers near the front door.
- Make sure the door bell works.
- Tighten and clean all door handles.
Welcome Buyers with a House they Can Picture as Their New Home
- Ensure your home remains free of all pet, smoke and cooking smells.
- Remove furniture that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller.
- Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
- Get the kitchen sparkling clean including stove, oven and fridge.
- Remove excessive counter clutter.
- Clean and organize cabinets, closets, drawers and bookshelves.
- Clean all light fixtures, ceiling fans, mini blinds and window sills.
- Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
- Shampoo carpets.
- Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
- Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
- Fix or replace tub & shower grout and replace any broken tiles.
Doing that Little Bit Extra
- Buy new towels for bathrooms and replace shower curtain
- Buy new bedding for bedrooms and replace old lamps or lampshades.
- Paint the front door; clean or paint walls and ceilings.
- Replace worn cabinet doors, cabinet pulls and door knobs.
- Replace worn countertops.
Tips for Showing Your Home at It’s Best
- DO NOT fry anything while your home is for sale; cooking smells linger for days.
- Vacate the property while it is being shown.
- Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime; turn on all the lights.
- Keep pets secured outdoors.
- Play quiet background music.
- Clean out fireplace ashes.
- Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
- Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
