Preparing Your Home to Sell
With the New Year behind us, many of you may be considering listing your home to sell. In preparation for selling your home, here are some recommendations that may improve the saleability of your home.
A common question that homeowners may ask themselves is which improvements are needed to improve the saleability of their home.
Any improvements that increase the home's attractiveness and overall size to the general public will help to increase the value. Keep in mind that your property only has one opportunity to make a good "first" impression. That being said, when someone walks through the door to view the property, the property should appeal to the general buying public. The following is a list of general guidelines to consider when preparing your home to sell.
With the New Year behind us, many of you may be considering listing your home to sell. In preparation for selling your home, here are some recommendations that may improve the saleability of your home.
A common question that homeowners may ask themselves is which improvements are needed to improve the saleability of their home.
Any improvements that increase the home's attractiveness and overall size to the general public will help to increase the value. Keep in mind that your property only has one opportunity to make a good "first" impression. That being said, when someone walks through the door to view the property, the property should appeal to the general buying public. The following is a list of general guidelines to consider when preparing your home to sell.
- Use neutral color or light paint inside and out.
- Paint trim for a fresh and clean look and appearance.
- Make sure that carpet is cleaned prior to showing property.
- If replacing flooring or carpet, then use a neutral color carpet or flooring.
- Consider light window treatments.
- Consider the use of mirrored wardrobe doors to enhance the space in the bedrooms.
- Organize closets and cupboards, and maintain that organization during the time your property is listed.
- Place healthy house plants in strategic locations to create a warm feel.
- Spruce up exterior landscaping, and add colorful plants to exterior of home.
- Use seasonal flowers to keep landscaping up to date.
- Trim trees if necessary (check with Arborist to ensure it is the correct time of year).
- Keep windows clean inside and out.
- Replace and/or repair screens as needed.
- Add decorator mirrors in strategic locations to enhance open feeling in home.
- Keep fireplace clean if wood burning, and add unburned wood or candles to fireplace.
- De-clutter every room (and closet) to ensure that home looks more spacious (and organized).
- Put away personal photos so your buying prospects do not get distracted by the photographs.
- Keep your home neat and orderly at all times.
- Organize and clean pantry, and kitchen area.
- Keep your home free of odors (including pets and cooking odors).
- Consider obtaining a staging consultation to have your home be the most presentable.
If I can answer any questions regarding Newport Beach Real Estate, Newport Coast homes for sale, and Corona del Mar luxury homes, please feel free to contact me.
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
Phone or Text: 949.280.0681
Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com
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Sharon, what a GREAT comprehensive list for the seller preparation. Along with that de-cluttering which is so important follow it up with a deep clean scrub. Too often sellers lightly clean and it is not enough. The potential buyers want shiny mint condition houses. Great post!
Sharon, great post!
fantastic list, it is amazing what a little de-cluttering and a lot of simple house cleaning can do to make a home shine - bets of luck in 09
Gary - thanks for the nice comment. These are things I go over with sellers and I believe it makes a big difference with the home's presentation.
Tim and Pam - thanks!
James - thanks and I agree that preparation is the key to having a home be in the most presentable condition. Best of luck to you as well in 2009!
Sharon: Great tips for sellers preparing to "list" I think!!! And, these items aren't wallet breakers. Thanks for sharing.
Kat - I am glad you like the list, and you are right about these items not being overly expensive when someone is preparing their home to sell!
A very good list. Now if we can get all of our sellers to follow it.
Randy - thanks for the comment. I agree that if we can get the sellers to utilize it. It makes a big difference when a home shows better.
Great tips and I love the one about "healthy" house plants. Isn't it amazing sometimes the number of plant pots that are sometimes found or pictures both inside and outside of dead plants? (or just filled with dirt) - great reminders for the new year!
Connie - thanks - I think plants (healthy ones) make a huge difference and add "life" to the house.
Sharon - Nice list! I agree with Connie regarding the "healthy" word. I also thought that the word "maintain" on the closets and cupboards suggestion was a nice added touch. I will be revising my recommendation list accordingly.
Sharon, The list is wonderful, I sure hope sellers take your advice. I cannot believe the homes I see listed that are not even cleaned inside OR out. I don't know how they hope to sell...
Sharon, perfect list for home sellers - all they need to do and so very important in presenting their home! May I print it and hand it out to sellers?
great tips Sharon - little things can make a home sell in today's market
Randall Sandin, http://www.charlestonpierpartners.com
I see that Jim re-blogged your post. I see why. Great list.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life -- make it a good start.
Hi Sharon ! Thanks for putting together such a detailed list ! there were a few new ones to me on there too. I like the strategic placement of mirrors to enhance an 'open' feeling. Very nice !
Mark - I too like the "healthy" house plants - it makes a huge difference in a house.
Carole - thanks - agreed that homes should be cleaned thoroughly. You never know who is walking through the door.
Virginia - please feel free to share this list with your clients.
Randall - thanks - I think the tips make a big difference with the presentation of the home.
Sheldon - I love mirrors - and I have bought them from moving sales to put in a house. I think they make a difference and create a light and bright feel.