The ABCs of Preparing Your Home for Sale



by Joy McGuire, ASP

Attitude: Change your way of thinking stop thinking of it as your home and start thinking of it as a property on the market. It is a job to sell your home, and with the right attitude the work is easier.

Behavior: Start living as if you were on vacation or camping. Use less kitchen appliances, less clothes, less toys. Then pack up all those non-essential items. When you get to use them again it will be like Christmas!

Clean: You need to detail your home the way you would detail your car before selling it. Everything should sparkle and look new. Clean everything - inside and out: closets, cupboards, garages, backyards. If you cant get it clean, consider replacing it.

De-Clutter: Youll be packing up all your belongings when you move anyhow, so you might as well start now. Pack away all family photos, valuable collections, knick-knacks, and excess items.

Empty your space: Strive to make all shelves, closets, and cupboards look only half full. Countertops should be almost bare. This gives potential buyers plenty of room to mentally move in.

First impressions matter and you never get a second chance- so get everything done BEFORE the for-sale sign goes up.

Garages should look like places to park, not storehouses. Take all that extra stuff to a storage facility. There is even a service that will deliver and pick up a storage container for you.

Hire expert help: Sometimes a fresh eye is needed to see which home features arent being shown off and which home faults are showing up. Staging Professionals know how to make your house look less lived in and more like a model home.

Investments in both time and money that you make now will pay off when your home sales. Hundreds of dollars spent on preparing to market your house can result in thousands of dollars returned on your investment.

Judicious placement of your furniture and accessories can make all the difference. Dont be afraid to move things around to see what works best.

Keep it clean and neat. From the time you list your house to the time escrow closes, it has to remain show-ready. Dont slack off on making beds or putting the toothpaste away.

Lighting: Light fixtures should sparkle. Light bulbs should all be working and bright. Use the highest wattage possible and if theres a dark area in your home, bring in more lighting.

Marketing is different than decorating. Marketing is taking things away, not adding. So take out the extra dining room chairs, side tables, and artwork. You want to create visual space.

Neutralize colors. This doesnt mean you should make everything white or beige, but you should definitely paint over the bright red or blue walls. Tone down the floral couch with a slipcover, and take down the zebra print curtains.

Odor control: If you can smell it, you cant sell it, so while your home is on the market refrain from cooking foods like fish and broccoli. Keep trash cans emptied, and damp towels washed.

Pets need to be kept out of sight and out of mind. Litter boxes should be cleaned and dog piles picked up daily. Never leave dogs or cats inside during a showing, and hide away food and water bowls.

Quick sale at top dollar is your goal. Keep your mind on this objective as you go through the process of selling your home.

Repair or replace: While living in your home you may have been able to overlook the broken tile or missing molding, but now everything should be in working order and tip-top shape. Buyers will notice and think of your home as well-maintained.

Street appeal: Stand across the street from your house and try to see what your buyers see. If its not appealing on the outside, they will never bother to look at the inside. Painting the house trim or adding new hardware to your front door can do wonders.

Teamwork: Get the whole family involved. Even the youngest members should have a role such as keeping their toys picked up. When your agent calls up at the last minute, your teamwork will pay off.

Universal appeal is what youre trying to achieve so put away any religious artifacts, and take down that velvet painting of Elvis.

Visit www.stagedhomes.com and www.homedepotmoving.com for more tips on the art of property presentation, or Staging.

Windows: Wash windows inside and out and keep blinds and curtains open. Window treatments should be kept to a minimum, so leave the valance up, but take down the heavy drapery.

X-tra time and attention devoted to details WILL be worth it.

Yard: Your yard is just as important as your house. If the greenery is overgrown, trim it. If the flowerbeds look bare, plant some annuals. Reduce clutter outside as well, by putting away toys and taking down whirlygigs.

Zero in on these home Staging strategies to get your house SOLD!