Presenting your home for the market

I can help you with all the details of selling your home, but first, we need to make it presentable. Remember, you want to portray a clean home which the buyer can see themselves in! Here are some insightful tips to shining up your home.

Inside

Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house, keeping decorative objects on the furniture to a minimum.
Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. Clear the refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. If the kitchen is clear, the prospective buyers can begin imagining themselves in your home.
In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls, and commode tops. Keep your most needed items in one small corner.
Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if the room seems full. When it comes to selling, you want to balance your furniture. This makes the room appear larger and adds perspective.
Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on the walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
Review the inside of your home one room at a time. Clean walls, windows, carpets, drapes, and just tighten things up.
Leave on certain extenuating lights during the day. Turn on all lights and lamps before showings.

Outside

Go around the perimeter of the house and remove all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc. You can place them in the garage if necessary.
Check gutters and roof for dry rot. Make sure gutters are free of debris.
Inspect all plants, prune brushes, and trees. Keep plants from blocking all windows!
Weed all planting areas. Keep your lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.
Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as small planters, flower pots, charcoals, barbecues, toys, etc. Again, put them in the garage if need be.
Check the paint condition of the house, especially the front door and trim. "Curb appeal" is very important!

Grace Hudtloff is a licensed broker of John L. Scott® Real Estate.