Preparing Your House for Sale
Preparing your home for sale is a big job, so we've provided the following guidelines to get you started. A home that looks good appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price!
How Much Should You Spend?
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed with things like a new roof or windows, but you aren't likely to recover a good percentage of your costs. Here are some quick fixes that will help to put more money in your pocket:
- Make sure there are no leaky faucets
- Re-caulk worn or damaged caulk around showers, tubs, sinks and toilets
- Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs
- Make sure sinks are clean and stain free
- Clean tile grout
- Replace missing or damaged tiles
- Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls
- Fix sticky doors and drawers
- Replace toilet seats, if needed
- Steam clean carpets, if needed
- If carpets are especially "lumpy", consider having them re-stretched
- Replace worn out vent covers
- Repair cracks in ceilings and walls
- Repaint worn, faded or stained interior walls
- Whitewash dark paneling
- Make sure all light bulbs are working and are at the maximum allowable wattage
- Clean all light fixtures
- All drains should be clean and free flowing
- All toilets should be in good working order
- Inspect, clean and change the furnace filter
- Make sure smoke alarms are in working order
- Repair a broken doorbell
- Clear all overgrown brush and debris from your yard
- Power wash your deck and re-stain if necessary
- Remove all unnecessary items from your yard such as gardening equipment
- Replace your welcome mat
- Add colorful plants or flowers near the front door or porch area
- Clean, clean, clean! (This is so important, we have developed a Clean De-Clutter and Stage Checklist)
