The Real Estate Blog

If you’re ready to sell your home and list it on the market, you’ll want to do a few key things to prepare it for viewing. Preparing your home for viewing and making sure it looks its very best can help it sell faster and for a higher amount. If you aren’t the type who can be bothered with all that, you might want to consider hiring a home stager to help guide you through the process!

Preparing your house for sale:

Work on the curb appeal. If you’ve heard the phrase “the first impression is a lasting impression”, you’ll understand how important your home’s curb appeal is. Depending on the season, make sure the lawn is freshly cut, the gardens are tidy and the lawn is free of toys and other clutter.

Clear the clutter. Speaking of clutter, get rid of it. Clear shelves of trinkets, put extra furniture in storage to make rooms look larger and make sure your kids’ toys are tidied up. A lot of clutter tends to accumulate around entrances to the house, so make sure your coats, shoes, bags and other outdoor gear is stored neatly away.

Give all rooms a purpose. If you have an extra bedroom which has become a storage area, pick a use for it and decorate it as such. Creating a room with a purpose (whether it be an office, craft room or guest room) will help potential buyers connect with your home.

Turn your bathroom into a spa. For under $30 you can purchase coordinating washcloths and towels, along with scented candles and faux plants to give the room a luxurious and relaxing feeling. 

Finally get to your honey-do list. Everyone has those little things in their homes that are in need of repair and sprucing up. Maybe it’s a door that doesn’t lock, scuff marks on the wall, a kitchen drawer that sticks or a broken handle in your bathroom. Fixing these things makes your home much more appealing to prospective buyers.

Quick Fixes

• Be sure to close your toilet
• Ask a friend or neighbor to look after your pets so that potential buyers aren’t distracted by them
• Brew a pot of fresh coffee or bake cookies to give your kitchen and house a homey feeling (there’s a reason why realtors often do this!)
• Clean and polish are surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen
• Make sure your home is warm in the winter and cool in the summer so buyers feel like they’re walking into a cozy home
• Open the curtains so you home has lots of bright, natural light
• Add freshly cut flowers or nicely arranged fruits and vegetables to your kitchen table or countertops

What was the best tip you received to help prepare your home for sale?