Disconnect Your Emotions: You need to think of your house as a marketable commodity. Your goal is to get others to see it as their home, not yours. The first step is to "de-personalize" it.
Make Your Home "Anonymous": You want buyers to view it as their home. When a homebuyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, it temporarily shatters their illusions about living in the house themselves. Put away family photos, trophies, collectibles, and souvenirs. Put them in a box. Rent a storage area for a few months and put the box in storage.
Un-cluttering: The hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home. Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements. You want as much open, clear space as possible. Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Or let your agent help.
Closet Clutter: Closets are great for accumulating clutter. Extra clothes, shoes, things you rarely wear but cannot be without. Do without these items for a couple of months by putting them in a box, because these items can make your closets look "crammed full."
Furniture Clutter: Many people have too much furniture in certain rooms, not too much for your own personal living, too much to give the illusion of space that a homebuyer would like to see. You may want to tour builders’ models to see how they place furniture in model homes.
Storage Area Clutter: Basements, garages, attics, and sheds accumulate clutter. These should be as empty as possible so buyers can imagine what they would do with the space. Remove anything that is not essential and take it to the storage area. Or… have a garage sale!
Kitchen Clutter: First, get everything off the counters. Everything! Even the toaster! Put the toaster in a cabinet and take it out when you use it. Find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers. Of course, you may notice that you do not have cabinet space to put everything. Clean them out. Dishes, pots and pans that rarely get used? Put them in a box and put that box in storage.
Homebuyers will open all your cabinets and drawers. They want to be sure there is enough room for their "stuff." If your kitchen cabinets and drawers look full, it sends a negative message and does not promote an image of “plentiful storage space“. For that reason, if you have a "junk drawer," get rid of the junk. If you have a rarely used crock pot, put it in storage. Do this with every cabinet and drawer. Create open space. If you have a large amount of foodstuffs crammed into the shelves or pantry, begin using them – especially canned goods. Canned goods are heavy and you don’t want to be lugging them to a new house, anyway – or paying a mover to do so! Use up as much as you can. Beneath the sink is critical, too. Make sure the area is as empty as possible. You should scrub the area down as well, and determine if there are any tell-tale signs of water leaks.
Repairs
Plumbing and Fixtures: Sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. If you don’t buy something fancy, this can be accomplished very inexpensively. Make sure knobs are easy to turn and that faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers.
Ceilings, Walls and Painting: Check the ceilings for water stains, whether the leak is caused by plumbing or a faulty roof. Find the leak and repair it. If a water stain is left after something you have already repaired, do the cosmetic work necessary. That means painting!
You may have to paint anyway, especially if dirt has accumulated or you have a dated color scheme. Painting makes a home look fresh and new and never fails to impress. Painting can be your best investment when selling. It is not very expensive and often you can do it yourself. Choose an off-white color because white helps your rooms appear bright and spacious.
Carpet and Flooring: Unless your carpet appears old and worn, or it is an outdated style or color, you should do no more than hire a good carpet cleaner. If you choose to replace it, do so with something inexpensive in a neutral color. Your goal is to have as few negative impressions as possible.
Windows and Doors: Check all windows to make sure they open and close easily. If not, a spray of WD40 often helps. Make sure there are no cracked or broken panes. If there are, replace them.
Do the same with the doors, a shot of WD40 on the hinges usually makes creaks go away. Be sure doorknobs turn easily, and are cleaned and polished to look sharp.
Odor Control: For those who smoke, minimize smoking indoors while trying to sell. It is best to move smoking outside. You could also purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor. Apologies to pet owners, but pets come with odors. You may have become used to them, but they are noticeable. For those with cats, empty kitty litter daily.
The Exterior of the House: The exterior is the most important. A homebuyer’s first impression is based on his/her view of the house from their car "curb appeal." Take a walk across the street and take a good look at your house. Look at nearby houses, too, see how yours compares.
Landscaping: Is your landscaping at least average? If not, buy a few bushes and plant them. If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression. Your lawn should be cut, edged, well watered, and free of brown spots. Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.
House Exterior/To paint or not to paint: When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance, adding dollars to offers. When choosing color, buy a color that fits well in your neighborhood. Of course, the color also depends on the style of your house, too. For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to illicit the best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim or the basic color of the house.
As for the roof: If you know your roof leaks, repair it. If you do not repair a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want an entire new roof. If you know your roof leaks and you don't repair it and don't disclose it, look forward to hearing from an attorney.
The Back Yard: The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it maintained and cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in place. You want your yard to appear as spacious as possible.
The Front Door & Entryway: The front door should be sharp, it is the entryway into the house. Polish the fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing, make sure to get that done. Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly as well. Get a new plush mat, too. This is something you can take with you.
Showing the House: Your house should be available to show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a convenient place to make it easy for other agents to show your home. Most agents will call and give at least a days notice before showing your property.
Lockbox: A lockbox is a padlock with a cavity inside where a key can be placed. Only someone with the combination can get into the lockbox and access the key. Having a lockbox at your house makes it easy for agents to get access to your house. Without the lockbox, agents representing buyers would have to set appointments to meet you or your agent so they could gain access. This would be inconvenient. The listing agreement specifies whether you allow a lockbox or not. It is locked into place, usually on the front door and cannot be removed. Only other agents can access the key that is located within the lockbox.
Try Not to be Home: Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are, and they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit the local coffee house or take the kids to the park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of they way area and do not move from room to room.
Lighting: When you know someone is coming by, leave window treatments open and turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day. At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents shadows from sunlight and brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.
Fragrances: Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find them offensive, not to mention some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, try a potpourri pot, mild candles or something natural.
Pet Control: Try to take the pets with you. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. Try to keep cats in a specific room, and put a sign on the door.
Keep the House Tidy: Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses or dishes around, keep everything dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home.
Trash: Make sure you empty it every time someone comes to look at your home. Even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink. Remember, you want to send a positive image about every aspect of your home.
