Tips and Tactics: Preparing Your House to Sell

Clean Up, Clear Out, Fix and Repair

Remember that the actual cash value of your property is the price that someone will pay for it in today's real estate market.

When selling your home, appearance can be the single most important thing that attracts a buyer. Needed improvements and repairs can add to the value of your home. Start by walking through your entire property looking for improvements that could be made prior to showing your home to potential buyers. Examine the exterior of your home carefully. Does it need washing or maybe a coat of paint? Make sure that lawn, trees and other landscaping is neatly trimmed and mowed. If the season allows, add flowers here and there for extra color. Make sure your yard is free of leaves and refuse. Remember, buyers will register their first impression of your home as they drive up to your property.

Try to put yourself in the buyer's shoes as you walk through your home. Does the interior of the house need painting? Are the windows and window screens clean? Does the carpet need cleaning or replacing? Do all of the homes mechanical appliances work correctly? And don't forget about those hidden problems that a buyer's inspector may find such as leaky plumbing, ungrounded outlets, slow drains or code violations. Have your closets clean and organized so they look as large and spacious as possible. Remove items from storage areas. The same is true for every room in the house. Remove any items that seem to decrease the size of the rooms. Remove personal items and knick-knacks throughout the house. They may be items close to your heart, but to a potential buyer they're just clutter. Remember you want to keep your buyers attention on what they came to see ... your house! With little preparation and some small improvements, you may very well increase the value of your property!

The following check list will help to ensure your home is ready to show! Print this page out to use as a reference!

Repair/Replace:
Sticking doors and windows
Leaky pipes or plumbing
Rotted or damaged siding
Discolored caulking
Damaged windows and doors
Broken home appliances
Cracked sidewalks
Worn carpet
Faded or worn paint
Deck boards and railings
Broken switches and light bulbs
Cracked walls and ceilings

Cleaning and Maintenance
Kitchen cabinets and sink
Mirrors
Bathrooms
Faucets and sinks
Keep garage clean and tidy
Attic
Closets
Basement
Windows and screens
Clean and sanitize carpet and rugs
Abolish objectionable odors
Sweep or shovel walks and driveways
Mow lawn and trim shrubs
Oil squeaky door hinges
New furnace filter
Storage areas

Cleaning Tip: Pack it away, Give it away or throw it away.