Deciding to sell your home is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your lifetime. It could be your first home or possibly you raised your children here. The family getting together for holidays has created thousands of memories. Regardless of the reason to move, getting your home ready for sale is very important. What you do will determine how quickly it sells and how much money it will sell for.
Starting from the outside of your home will determine the first impression prospective buyers have as they drive up to it. Making sure to mow the lawn, trim the hedges and shrubs, plant flowers and remove all the weeds. If you are going through a dry spell, water the lawn on a regular basis so it looks lush and green. In the winter time, make sure all snow and ice is removed. Check the shutters and garage door as they might need some paint touchup. Make sure all windows are clean and if they have screens that are damaged, repair or replace them. You only have one chance to make a first good impression, so make sure the exterior is as close to perfect as possible. What buyers see here will determine whether they will want to take the next step.
But don't stop here. When a buyer steps inside, you have to exhibit the same warmth as you did outside. The first place to start is to remove all clutter. If necessary, rent a storage space. It will be some of the best money you will spend. Pay attention to keeping indoor plants looking healthy, pet beds and litter boxes clean, garage containers empty and fish tanks clean. If closets and cupboards are packed full, move some of the items to your storage area. If you have carpeting, a cleaning might be in order. Hardwood floors should be cleaned and polished. Bathrooms should sparkle as this is where a lot of people judge how the home is maintained. Don't forget the garage and storage rooms. If they are packed, move some items to your storage space.
Now is your chance to do any repairs necessary. Some buyers use these to reduce the price of the home. You can touch up paint and wallpaper, repair damage to walls, tighten doorknobs, oil squeaky doors, repair leaky plumbing and re-caulk around bathtubs and sinks. Check your furnace, air conditioner, humidifier and all other appliances to insure they are in good working condition. What might cost you $100 to repair could become a $1,000 issue when a buyer decides to make an offer.
Using the services of a home stager and professional home inspector at the start could increase the selling price of your home by thousands of dollars. Having a trained professional's opinion will allow you to correct anything that could become a roadblock later. It can also make the difference between selling in a few weeks compared to a few months.
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