GETTING YOUR HOME
READY TO PUT ON THE MARKET
If you “think”
you are ready to put your home on the market, take a few minutes to
look over the following list. Step back and take a good look at
your home. Pretend like you are seeing it for the first time.
Pretend that you are a buyer. The time and money you invest in
getting your home ready should result in more money and a faster
sale.
Outside
1.
Walk around your house. Pick up anything that does not
belong there. Make sure all doors and vents to the crawl space are
in good operating condition.
2.
Check gutters. Make sure they are free of debris. Be sure
gutters and downspouts are attached to the roof and house.
3.
Look at the landscaping. Prune all bushes and trees. Plants
should not block the view of the house from the street.
4.
Weed and mulch all plant beds and around shrubs. Keep the
lawn cut and remove all dead plants and tree limbs.
5.
Remove all small plant containers, charcoal bags and flower
pots from the deck, patio and/or porch. (Store them in the garage
or in a rented storage unit.)
6.
Check paint condition of the house particularly around the
exterior doors where prospects will enter and exit.
Inside
1.
Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the
house. Decorative objects should be restricted to odd numbered
groupings; 1, 3 or 5 items.
2.
Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen counter:
pictures, message pads, etc. A cleared counter space gives the
appearance of more room and also helps the buyer visualize how their
things could fit in your kitchen.
3.
Do the same thing in the bathroom. Clear off the counter
tops, remove all items from tubs/showers. Leave only a few personal
items out on a small section of the counter. Coordinate towels to
one or two colors.
4.
Rearrange or remove some furniture to make all rooms appear
larger.
5.
Take down or rearrange pictures, artwork or other objects so
that walls are not cluttered. Putty and paint any nail holes.
6.
Review your home room by room. Paint (touch up if possible)
any room that needs it. Clean the carpet and drapes if needed.
Clean all windows. Have the drapes/blinds open when the house is
being shown.
7.
Use the garage for storage if it can be done orderly and
still preserve room for the automobiles. Don’t pile the garage full
of furniture, toys, etc. If you need more storage, rent a unit.
8.
Leave lights on during the day. All lights and lamps should
be on during showings.
9.
Have the stereo (easy listening) on during showings.
Simply put,
make sure your home is clean and follow the “less is more”
philosophy. Anything that is not in good working order needs to be
repaired before the first showing. First impressions are important
in selling, too.
