Selling your home takes a bit more work and planning than just putting the “For Sale” sign in your front yard. If you want to compete in today’s tough buyer’s market, and attract plenty of buyers, then there are a few things you’ll want to take care of beforehand:
1. Clean - There is no better way to begin your home selling adventure than with a good cleaning. And there is nothing that puts buyers off more than a dirty home. A deep cleaning may include steam cleaning the carpets, scrubbing down the appliances, inside and out, cleaning the windows, cleaning light fixtures, ceiling fans and other neglected fixtures in and around the home, and scrubbing down the bathrooms, particularly the bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets.
2. De-Clutter - Once your home is sparkling clean, you will want to consider tackling the clutter situation. Because, after all, how are your buyers supposed to appreciate your home when there is clutter distracting them? Your de-cluttering project may include cleaning out and reorganizing closets, disposing of unwanted items (now is a great time to donate or sell unwanted items!), cleaning out kitchen cupboards, removing unnecessary knick knacks from countertops, tabletops and shelves, and placing unnecessary household items and furniture in storage.
3. Define the Rooms - Is your spare bedroom a dumping ground for unused household items? Is your dining room serving as a home office? An important part of preparing your home for sale is making sure that buyers understand what each room in the home is used for. In other words, move your home office out of the dining room and replace it with a dining room table!
4. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint - One of the most effective ways to immediately lighten and brighten your home is with a fresh coat of paint. A coat of paint can take a drab, unwelcoming room and turn it into a fresh breath of air. Choose soft, neutral colors to appeal to a wide audience.
5. Depersonalize - Your personal collections and family photos may hold a special place in your heart, but they serve no purpose when selling your home. A great way to depersonalize your home and make each buyer feel like your home could be their home is to remove personal items from your home.
6. Fix Up - Before listing your home for sale, take a walk through each room and make a note of items that need to be repaired or replaced. If buyers see a leaky faucet or a broken light fixture, they will automatically assume that the house in not well maintained.
7. Upgrade - Although full remodels are questionable, it is probably a good decision to replace old or outdated items around the home, particularly light fixtures, faucets, carpeting and appliances. Luckily, you will almost always see a return on your investment with these simple improvements.
8. Stage - An excellent way of setting the tone of your Highland Park home is through staging. Staging your home enables you to highlight special features of your home and to show your home in the best light possible.
9. Prepare for your Showing - There are many ways in which you should prepare for your showing. You may choose to open your windows and blinds to allow natural light to filter into your home; you may also choose to light candles, purchase fresh flowers and rid the home of clutter, valuable items and shoes situated by the front door.
10. Remove your Pets - Remember: not everyone loves pets, so take Fido or Fluffy with your during a showing!
