As the saying goes, first impressions are made within the first 3 seconds of an introduction. The same philosophy can be followed when evaluating your home.
In addition to in-person home showings, your home will be made available to preview across numerous home listing sites and your photos will be seen by a large number of online consumers, so making your home listing stand out is imperative! Ensure that you promote your home in the best light possible by planning ahead of time and by maintaining this presence throughout the sale of your home.
Here is a list of ideas and tips on preparing your home for sale.
Interior Tips
1. De-clutter. Put away personal items, any work documents or files, toys, clothing, dishes, shoes etc.
2. Depersonalize by putting away family photos and any potentially offensive decorations, signs, art or items.
3. For your photography appointment, remove any seasonal/holiday decorations that can quickly outdate your photos.
4. Wash your windows, dust and vacuum.
5. Make all of your beds, fluff all the pillows, and check the bed skirts and hide any items under your bed.
6. Clean the kitchen sink and put away the dishes.
7. Remove any magnets and decorations from the refrigerator.
8. Clear all kitchen counter tops and put away toasters, can openers, etc.
9 Consider decorating your dining room table with your prettiest place settings.
10. Clear all bathroom counter tops and put away all personal items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, etc.
11. Clear or organize bathroom showers and tub areas of any toiletry items such shampoos, conditioners, body-washes, etc.
12. Put out matching clean towels and hide all the others.
13. Put all toilet seats and lids down.
14. Hide all trash cans.
15. If you own pets, hide all food/water bowls, pet beds, and pet toys.
16. Replace any burned out light bulbs.
Exterior Tips
1. Prune and trim your lawn, bushes, plants, trees, and any landscaping items that need to be addressed.
2. Remove and clean up any animal droppings and debris.
3. Put away all garbage cans, hoses, garden tools, toys, bikes etc.
4. In snowy climates, shovel snow from walkways, driveways, patios, decks when necessary.
5. If there is a pool, hot tub, or spa, make sure they are cleaned and if the weather permits remove the cover
6. Weather permitting, uncover grills, open the umbrellas on any patio sets and set up the cushions.
7. Consider adding splashes of bright colored flowers to the landscape and in pots.
Right Before a Guest (Buyer, Photographer, Inspector, Appraiser, etc) Arrives
1. Turn on ALL interior lights ‒ even lights in furniture cabinets.
2. Turn OFF all ceiling fans.
3. Light the fireplace (seasonal)
4. Open all blinds, shades, and curtains.
5. Clear all cars and vehicles from the driveway and the street in front of the home.
6. Secure or remove animals in a safe location
7. If at all possible, do not cook a meal before guests arrive.
**IMPORTANT** Please place all valuables in a secure location. There will potentially be many people walking through your home, and valuables should be out of sight and secure.
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