SELLER TIPS
One of the biggest mistakes a Seller can make is failing to "showcase" their home. If your home has pet odors, cigarette odors or cracking paint, your house will not show well. Buyers will make up their mind BEFORE they even get through the house.
Where to begin?
Start
with a curb-to-door cleanup. Make the front of your home as inviting as possible. Prune back shrubs and tree branches, edge the lawn and keep it mowed. Make your yard weed free and add landscaping rock where it has become bare. If possible add some annual flowers, either in a prominent location or with a few well placed pots. Paint the front door (make sure the door lock works easily and the key fits properly!) and put out a new welcome mat. Keep backyard tool and toy free. Second,
Remove Your Personality Out of the House.
Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."
Remove Clutter!
Most people collect a vast quantity of junk.
Donate or throw away as many things as possible.
Pack knicknacks.
Clean of all Countertops.
Put items that are essential in a container that can be stored away when not being used.
Remove All Personal Items!
Many times buyser have a difficult time being distracted. You want the buyer to imagine themselves in your house - You want them to think "I can see MYSELF living here. Remove personal photos and artifacts as well as family momentos and heirlooms.
Remove All Personal Political, Religious and Social items!
Store away banners, bumper stickers and biased literature, including magazines. Again you interested in selling your house NOT your opinion. Keep potential buyers from getting distracted.
Third,
If possible get your home pre-inspected. In this market most buyers are not walking around will a lot of money for home repair in their pocket.
Make Minor Repairs
Patch any holes in the walls and paint rooms a neutral color if possible.
Fix leaky faucets.
Replace broken tiles.
Replace burnt out lightbulbs
Repair drawers or doors that do not close properly
Make the House Shine!
Clean home exterior
Wash windows inside and out
Clean and polish any mirrors, chrome and stainless steel
Vacume every day
Dust and keep clean all ceiling fans, furniture an light fixtures.
Keep floors clean and mopped.
Make all areas of the home aired out and odor free.
