Preparing Your Home To Sell, Inside | ||
|---|---|---|
See Also: Preparing Your Home To Sell, Outside
Free & Easy Fix Ups
Think of your home's appearance as one of its form of advertising. You're ready to put your house on the market during a very challenging time in housing. However, if you put your house on the market without preparing it for sale, you may have a long wait for an offer. You also may not realize your home's greatest return on investment.
You don't have to turn your pockets inside out to get it ready to sell. Some outlay may be necessary for painting, cabinet doors or repairing broken fixtures or appliances.
There are, however, many fix ups that cost absolutely nothing - except a little time and elbow grease. These fix ups will make all the difference in whether or not your home makes the most of itself. Here are a few tips for getting your home ready to show itself off.
Indoors
- Clean everything in and out of sight. Shampoo rugs and wax floors. Wash or brush walls. Wash windows and clean blinds and draperies.
- Weed clutter out of closets and cupboards.
- Create space by storing some of the extra furniture you have found useful (bureaus, bookcase, storage chests, oversized chairs) but which makes a crowded impression.
- Place the remaining furniture so the traffic can flow easily from room to room.
- Unless you are a skilled artist, scale down your personal artwork (portraits, landscapes), posters, signs and family photos, especially in teenagers' rooms. Create a feeling of spaciousness.
- Keep shades and draperies open, to admit as much light as possible, but screen out unappealing views.
- Let your kitchen look warm and welcoming, not a hectic workplace. Keep your sink shining and free of dirty dishes at all times.
- Organize your cupboards.
- Clean the refrigerator
- Keep counter tops clear, but not empty (as is unused); adorn them with your most attractive canister.
- Completely degrease your oven. Let the kitchen smell fresh and fragrant (with cinnamon warming in the clean oven, if you have time.)
- Remove debris (dust, flies, moths, etc.) from all light fixtures.
- Keep bathrooms scrubbed and tidy with fresh soap and neatly hung towels (matching if possible).
- Get rid of all stains and install new washers on dripping faucets.
- Feature (with lighting and furniture arrangement) your home's best characteristics (a fireplace, a picture window, a balcony, ceiling beams, a kitchen eating area, etc.)
- If you have repainted (preferrably in safe neutral tones) add bold splashes of color (with your brightest throw pillows, crockery, pictures, etc.)
- Place plants in stratigic spots in any room - the bigger the more glamorous, if space permits.
- Light the whole house, especially dark corners and hallways.
- Hang mirrors where they will reflect outdoor light - as well as make a room look larger.
As your neighborhood real estate specialists we can show you any home for sale in the area, or advise you on selling your home. Please feel free to call us or send us an email with your real estate questions. We are ready to help.
Next Home Selling Article: Marketing Your Home To Sell
