Get Your Home Ready To Sell
Common Mistakes and Tips for Selling Your Home
One common mistake is spending a lot on renovations, a new roof, or remodeling. While these upgrades may impress buyers, spending $5,000 on remodeling won’t necessarily add $5,000 to your sale price. Spend as little as possible, focusing on cosmetic, highly visible features like interior painting. Save major renovations for when you plan to stay in the house, not when you’re selling.
Thinking about everything that needs to be done to sell your house can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Break it down into manageable tasks and take it one step at a time for better results.
First Steps:
Have a garage sale. Donate anything that doesn’t sell to organizations like Disabled American Veterans or a group that is personal to you.
Once the clutter is cleared, you can better assess what needs to be done.
Curb Appeal:
Edge, mow, and fertilize the lawn regularly. Ensure it's well-watered and reseed sparse areas.
Paint your mailbox.
Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees. Cut back overgrown shrubbery.
Buy a new welcome mat.
Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls, and patios for cracks and reseal if necessary.
Power-wash siding or brick; repaint exterior if needed.
Ensure the porch light works.
Clean and align gutters and downspouts.
Inspect and clean the chimney.
Repair or replace the doorbell if it’s broken.
Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles and siding.
Remove oil stains from the driveway and garage.
Keep walks clear of snow and ice in winter, and swept clean in other seasons.
Repair broken outdoor steps.
Add brightly colored potted flowers near the entrance.
Keep your garage door closed.
Wash windows inside and out.
Store RVs, boats, and extra vehicles elsewhere while the house is on the market.
Paint the front door.
Inside the Home:
Eliminate odors like cat litter, cigarette smoke, mildew, or pet accidents.
Clean everything: walls, floors, closets, and cabinets. Hire a cleaning service if needed.
Declutter by putting away appliances usually left on countertops. This makes the house appear bigger and brighter. Clean out closets, garage, basement, and attic.
Paint walls and ceilings in neutral colors like off-white or beige.
Repair cracks, holes, and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
Replace broken or cracked windowpanes and woodwork.
Fix dripping faucets and showerheads.
Buy new cabinet knobs and kitchen curtains.
Shampoo carpets, scrub and wax linoleum, and wash and wax wood floors.
Unclog slowly draining sinks and tubs.
Clean out the fireplace and lay some logs in it.
Mend torn screens and clean window tracks.
Ensure all windows open and close properly.
Replace burned-out light bulbs with brighter ones.
Ensure every light switch works.
Nail down creaking boards or stair treads (use two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and sub-floor into the joist).
Lubricate squeaking doors.
Remove excess, worn, or unattractive furniture.
Thoroughly clean all appliances (especially refrigerator and oven).
Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.
Clear cobwebs from corners and doorways.
Wash light switches, handrails, and doorknobs.
On Showing Days:
Keep draperies and shades open to let in light.
Place fresh flowers throughout the house.
Ensure the home is well-lit during showings.
At night, turn on the porch light and any outdoor lighting in the back.
Set out colorful, luxurious towels in the bathroom.
Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.
Keep toys in children’s rooms and bikes, wagons, and skateboards in the garage.
Play pleasant music at a low volume.
Spend the day of an open house away from home.
Leave pets outdoors.
Let the agent show your house without tagging along unless you’re selling it yourself.
One final thought, it is common practice for your home to be inspected once it is under contract. Not only is deferred maintenance one of the factors that negatively affects price, but it is also something that can produce issues during the inspection. Save yourself the headache and replace items that are no longer in working order. Inspect the electrical, plumbing and systems such as the HVAC, prior to listing.
Homes that are well maintained and clean sell faster and for more money. THAT IS A FACT!
The Southern Haven Team- "Where Southern Charm Meets Luxurious Living: Buy and Sell with Us"