When it comes to first impressions, the little things make all the difference. Planning to sell your house this year? Now’s the perfect time to prep it for listing! Set aside a couple of weekends to do the work.

 

Step 1: Clean and declutter

It may sound obvious, but the importance of cleaning and decluttering cannot be overstated.

Eliminate clutter before cleaning: This is the time to purge your house of unwanted and unnecessary items. In addition to donating items to charity, consider giving them away through Craigslist or neighborhood sharing groups.

Deep clean your house: This step will probably involve the biggest time investment, but may be the most important step you take! Get the whole family involved if you can! Think of this as a pumped-up spring cleaning. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms and clean the inside and outside of your windows — this makes a striking improvement in the overall appearance of your home.

Organize closets, cabinets and drawers: In this case, out of sight is not out of mind. Many potential buyers will open cabinets and closets, because they are thinking about storage space. Clean and organized storage areas signal to buyers that you take care of the house.

 

Step 2: Make small repairs

Take care of these problems before you show the house for the first time. Some of these fixes you can do yourself or let your Realtor know if you need a handyman, he/she may have someone that they have used in the past.

Here’s a cleaning checklist:

• Fix any leaking faucets and running toilets.
• Replace caulking around tubs, showers and sinks.
• Freshen up or repair grout as needed.
• Repair any wall or ceiling blemishes and repaint them in a neutral, generally pleasing color that complements your home.
• Fix cracked or broken windows.
• Replace or repair damaged window screens.
• Replace burned-out lightbulbs.

 

Step 3: Go for curb appeal

You want potential buyers to be charmed by the outside of your home so they look forward to coming inside. Extend your pumped-up spring cleaning to the outside of your house too.

• Trim bushes, shrubs and trees. Make sure vegetation or tree limbs aren’t touching your roof or siding.
• Repair broken downspouts and gutters.
• If it’s appropriate for your yard, apply new mulch, river rock and/or pea gravel. This can do wonders for your landscaping and provide immediate curb appeal.  
• Clean and repair concrete areas, such as driveways and walkways. Eliminate any oil or grease stains and clean out any weeds coming up through the cracks.
• Put out some pots of annuals, which will maintain their color for the season. Freshen up your doorstep with a new welcome mat and make sure the house numbers are easy to see.

With just a moderate amount of effort, you can make your house beautiful and welcoming, both inside and out

 

If you are ready to sell your home let us help you! Contact Sylvia McLain Realtors now →