Preparing Your Home For Sale

The hardest part of preparing to sell your home is trying to see your home through the buyers eyes.

What really applies here is the first impression rule, the exterior must be inviting, in the winter shovel the snow, in the summer a nicely manicured lawn and shrubs speak volumes and show a cared for home.

Clutter is the biggest factor in most homes, it creates nervousness among buyers and takes focus away from your home. The best thing is to get rid of all clutter. If you plan on moving, start packing.

Everyday clutter can be the toughest to deal with, mail, homework, kid's art projects... the best solution we have seen is a Rubbermaid container, when you have a showing on your home fill it up and place it in the garage or basement.

Kitchen clutter is most obvious; a good rule of thumb is no more than 1 object per section of counter top. It is very easy to have many items on the counter tops, mail holders, utensil holders, paper towel holders, but remember the more there is to look at the less of your home buyers see. All surfaces of the refrigerator should also be clean and free of anything.

After clutter is removed take a good look at all walls, especially corners and behind doors for wear. Any rooms or areas with excess wear should be repainted.

Leaky or dated faucets or fixtures should be replaced. Any deferred maintenance should be taken care of prior to or immediately after listing your home.

If there is something that has been bothering you about your home, chances are a potential buyer will see it and it will bother them as well.