Preparing Your Home for Sale    

While there are never any guarantees, and the market ultimately determines the price a buyer is willing to pay for a home, there can be a correlation between the price at which you sell your property and the amount of preparation you have put into getting your home ready to sell. 

If you are working with a real estate professional, expect your Realtor to do a pre-sale walk-through.  Carefully consider the suggestions that are made to you.  Keep in mind that a buyer may be searching for a “dream home” and a few minor repairs will help to present your property as the “perfect match.”

Clutter and disorder tend to make a property look smaller.  A clean, well-maintained, and orderly residence allows the potential buyer to envision spaciousness and a ready-to-move-in home. 

Some rather inexpensive items to consider:     

1. Keep the lawn mowed
2. Trim overgrown plants and trees
3. Keep the landscape watered to prevent dry-out
4. Put some lubricant on squeaking doors
5. Tighten up loose hanging doorknobs
6. Tighten loose or fix broken hinges on cabinet doors
7. Be sure windows open freely and broken locks are replaced
8. Replace range and oven burners that are not working
9. Keep the inside of the refrigerator clean
10. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher
11. Keep the carpet vacuumed
12. Sweep and wash the floors
13. Keep the bathrooms clean and fresh
14. Fix leaky faucets
15. Fix running toilets
16. Wash the windows
17. Repair any torn screens
18. Secure any falling curtain rods or vertical blinds (they detract from the look of a room)
19. Open windows from time to time to keep the house smelling fresh
20. Keep the furniture dusted (even though you are not selling your furniture, dust detracts from the overall good look of a room)
21. Apply a fresh coat of black sealer on the driveway
22. Fix any fence boards that may be loose
23. Remove trash and discards from the yard and garage
24. Have an unused swimming pool serviced to be sure the water is freshly appealing (not green!)
25. Apply a fresh coat of paint, where needed, inside or out  (perhaps this is the most costly!)