Top 10 Things To Do Before You List Your Home For Sale

1. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

Make your home memorable. Studies show buyers may decide in the first 30 seconds of seeing the home if this is the one. The front entrance should be warm & welcoming. Does your home look great from the street (i.e., does it have good curb appeal)? Your home should be the one buyers want to see the rest of when they enter. 

2. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

Buyers will look at the kitchen and bathrooms
with a critical eye. So, if the grout around the
sink or shower needs to be re-caulked, do
it! Clean the carpet and rugs. If buyers see
evidence that they will have to clean and fix
things, they will offer less money for the home.
A clean home looks like it has been taken care
of and loved. If you need help, enlist a friend or hiring a professional cleaning company.

3. DECLUTTER 

Nothing is worse than entering a home with
clutter. Get all personal items that you do
not need or use packed and stored. Pack
photographs, remove magnets and notes from
your fridge. You want the potential buyer to see
themselves in the home and they can't do that
if all they see is you and your family.

4. STORE IT

Remove any furniture that is not absolutely necessary. If a room is open, it looks large and adds square footage to the home; this is $$$ in
the real estate market. Have the kids put a few
toys in a special basket and pack the rest.

5. LET THERE BE LIGHT

Open the curtains and let the sunshine in! You
may like your privacy, but potential buyers don’t 
want to think about that when looking at your
home. They want to know that light will come
in and that the house won't be too dark. Turn on all the lights before a showing or open house.

6. NEUTRAL BACKGROUND 

Look at your walls — are they clean and bright?
Neutral walls (not just white) that are clean
and have an up-to-date color make a huge
impression. Make sure your artwork and decor
are tastefully chosen.  Don’t forget the woodwork — make sure it is painted and clean. If your woodwork is stained, make sure it's clean and dusted.

7. PET SMART

If you have pets, contain them. Preferably,
move them out of the house during open
houses and showings. Find a friend or neighbor to help if you can't board them. If you are leaving for a showing or open house, take them with you. Remember that a litter box should always be out of sight & clean. Pay attention to the yard, when a potential buyer steps out to see the property, make sure they don’t step in anything.

8. SMELL GOOD 

Remember, smell is a very important sense,
and your house has a smell of it's own. Does
yours have a good smell or a bad smell? Do 
you have pets? Most owners are immune
to the smell of their pets and the odor of
their home. Ask a friend who is sensitive to
these things to give you feedback. Do they
smell Rover, or the cat? Can they smell the
fish you had last night or your teenager's
shoes? Odor-eliminating sprays work very
well, baking cookies or a cake is a good
idea, but a high-end home fragrance is
another great alternative.

9. EMPTY CLOSETS

Empty every closet as much as you can.
Remove out-of-season clothes. Pack all items
that you are not going to use in the next 3
months. The kitchen cabinets should not
be overlooked, nor should the bookcases,
hutches, built-ins, entertainment centers
or any other storage space. You want it to
look as though there is room for the buyers'
things. Potential buyers will open cabinet doors to see inside, make sure they see space. If you have a lot of stuff in the attic or garage,
now is the time to pack it up or get rid of it;
remember, you are moving.

10. SET THE STAGE

Most people only use their dining room on
special occasions. Make it look as though
you are having a dinner party in an hour.
Make sure you have a centerpiece, and
fresh flowers are an inexpensive way to
make someone want to sit down and join
the party. If your home is casual, set a
casual table, if your dining room is formal,
pull out all the stops and set it with china.

Following these tips will make your home “show ready” and allow buyers to envision themselves living in your space! To request your own copy of this list, CLICK HERE!

If you’re considering selling, I’d love to visit with you more about how I can help you prepare your home for hitting the market! Contact me below or set up a complimentary consultation today. (Book Consult HERE!)

Until next time… Jenny

Jenny Sultenfuss, Realtor® HM Realty

832.360.6350

jenny@newrootstx.com

www.newrootstx.com