Making Your Home “Show” Ready!

We all know the saying that there’s only one chance to make a good first impression. Well, the same goes for your house! When getting your home ready to sell, it’s worth it to take the time and put in the effort to make your home shine. Starting with the listing photo session to the time when showings begin, your home should be appealing to home shoppers. What they see online should draw them in. What they see in person should impress them! 

So, how do you get your home ready to sell? You may feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Or you may not even know where to start. Many tasks you can do yourself. For other tasks, you may want to bring in a professional. All of this preparation can be a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end. Remember that the sale price always reflects the condition. To sell your home quickly and for the most money, home buyers should be impressed from the moment they walk in the door. Let’s break this process of getting your home “show ready” into simple steps.

A Month or Two Before Listing

1. Pack and sort. Now is the time to go through everything – closets, cupboards, drawers, basements and attics. Get rid of items you no longer need or want. Pack up things you can do without until you move. 
2. Declutter. Make spaces feel open by removing unnecessary items. Put away excessive decorations and personal things, including photos. Get rid of large furniture items you don’t plan to keep.
3. Interior touch ups. Give a fresh coat of paint to walls and woodwork. Swap worn out rugs with new ones. Check that all lightbulbs work. Replace miniblinds or curtains if necessary.
4. Exterior touch ups. Wash siding, decks, walkways and porches. Give a fresh coat of paint to the front door and shutters. Clean up landscaping and add mulch to flower beds.
5. Make repairs. Take care of repairs, such as patching drywall holes, fixing leaky faucets, putting on missing outlet covers, and so on. 
6. Service home systems. Have your heating and cooling systems serviced. If you have a water system, check the filters and salt pellets.
7. Deep clean. Take time for extra cleaning. Wipe down woodwork and doors, clean vents, and wash windows. Be sure the bathroom and kitchen areas are sparkling.

The Day of Photos

1. Clean off flat surfaces. Clean off countertops, vanities, and tables. Remove personal items, put away excessive decorations, and store small kitchen items and toiletries inside cupboards.
2. Remove and store away sensitive items. Put things like medications, banking information, firearms, jewelry, and other valuables in a safe place and out of sight. 
3. Put away daily items. Things like hand soap, toiletries, coats and shoes, purses and backpacks, should all be stored away for photos. 
4. Organize storage areas. Neatly organize closets and cupboards to make storage areas appear spacious. Put all packing boxes into one central location.
5. Stage your property. Add a nice throw to the couch, place a vase of flowers on the kitchen counter, add a new welcome rug at the door, and add other small touches of color to make your home inviting.

Let the Show Begin

1. Wipe down all surfaces. Make sure the kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities and showers, and tables are all clean and free of dirt or dust.
2. Stow away personal items. Put away any personal items that were used, such as toiletries, towels, and clothing items.
3. Add the final touches. Fluff pillows, make beds, put down toilet seats, open blinds and turn on lights. 
4. Create warmth. Consider playing music, have an electric/battery candle lit, and use a mild room freshener.
5. Remove cars. Park extra cars off sight if possible to make room for buyers and their agents to park by your house.

There are a lot of steps to get your home ready to sell, but attracting the most buyers makes the hard work worth it. If you aren’t sure what to prioritize within your timeframe and budget limitations, please reach out. I’m always happy to provide a complimentary consultation and expert guidance on your home sale.