Set the Stage and gear up to sell your home in Houston’s market.  It’s a daunting task to identify all the tasks that will make your home shine for a potential buyer.   I have picked up some re-occurring tips that make sense.  The list creators all agree that certain inexpensive projects can set the stage that will bring you solid returns on your home.  Only a few of these may require an outside repairman which will definitely reduce your investment and increase your return. 

Seems simple; clean and declutter your home. That shine mentioned above comes with a fair amount of elbow grease to achieve the desired results.  If you have deep cleaned once; now is a good time to walk through your home and look at each area and room as if you are the potential buyer; now clean again! Stow all of your personal items used daily in a tidy way.  Buyers will open closets and cabinets so don’t forget to include these areas on your to-do list. 

Create an Open, Bright Atmosphere

Set the stage! Give a room a more open look by rearranging furniture.  Replace sofa pillows and create a nice focal point with inexpensive artwork.  Cold outside?  Show off the warmth of a room that has a gas log fireplace and light the log on your way out the door. Turn on soft background music and use just a few small flowering plants to make a room an inviting destination. 

Banish dark corners by creating a bright and cheery atmosphere in your home.  Natural light and good indoor lighting will help you set the stage.  Begin by cleaning windows inside and out if you haven’t already tackled that chore.  Replace or discard curtains, blinds and dated light fixtures.  Make your home a little ‘greener’ by replacing bulbs with the latest LED and CFL bulbs in the highest wattage recommended by the manufacturer.  You can find some helpful tips on evaluating and selecting bulbs HouseLogic.

Secure Your Meds and Don't Forget the Plumbing

Bathrooms are always scrutinized.  Make them gleam.  Use new towels on the racks during showings.  Stow all the personal grooming products neatly.  Use art or accessories to increase appeal.  Now is a good time to create a safe place for prescription meds.  There are secured storage containers that will keep medications out of safely out of site.  One quick search came up with a container under $20 at LockMed. 

Take a look at the curb appeal of your home.  Create a welcoming look by spreading some color through your front and back yard. Step up the impact by using dark pine bark mulch.  Make sure shrubs and trees are properly trimmed and the lawn is manicured.  Set out pretty flowering potted plants on the patio or front porch.  If you have pets make sure that you scoop before you show.  If you have small children stow their playthings out of sight during a showing to keep the yard free of clutter. If necessary have your trees professionally trimmed.

How does your plumbing work? Check for leaks.  Do the toilets all flush properly?  Do your drains empty quickly? Is your garbage disposal making a funny noise?  Now is the time to make sure that there are no plumbing surprises.  Potential buyers will flush your toilets, turn on the faucets and try out the garbage disposal.

Look down. What do your floors look like? Shampoo dirty carpets and have damage repaired if necessary.  Do the wood laminate floors squeak?  Now is the time to get that taken care of.  Don’t forget the grouting on tiled floors.

Ready to team up with a realtor to market your home? Call Jason Gracey for solid advice and representation in marketing your home at 832-541-5060.