GET SELL READY

Hopefully, you have already started decluttering some of the bigger collections of unused furniture and other items stored in your attic, basement, or closets. Continue to work through your home, removing clutter, junk, and even personal decor. Start deep cleaning your home, really targeting the nooks and crannies.     

You should be proactive about any known maintenance issues to your home, as these will surface during an inspection. Evaluate the condition of appliances, plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, roof and structural elements of your house. When you repair or replace iffy systems, you remove a reason for people to reject your house.   

Home improvements can include projects such as painting your home (inside or outside), refinishing hardwood floors, fixing or replacing your roof or siding, installing a new garage door or front door, doing some gardening or landscaping, updating or repairing your HVAC system, or even performing minor kitchen and bathroom repairs, such as updating flooring, resurfacing cabinets, installing new hardware and fixtures, and replacing or resurfacing countertops.  

•  Replace missing fence boards

•  Add sod if needed

•  Mow the lawn and pull weeds 

•  Plant flowers to add color   

•  Fix or replace garage door

•  Service HVAC system 

•  Fix and roof leaks or tiles

•  Choose light and neutral colors 

•  Eggshell in the house

•  Semi-gloss in the kitchen and baths

•  Remove wallpaper

•  Putty holes

•  Replace town screens

•  Clean windowsills & tracks 

•  Resurface or replace countertops

•  Service or repair all appliances

•  Fix leaks

•  Clean out or replace tile grout 

•  Replace broken cabinet hardware

•  Tighten cabinet hinges

•  Paint or resurface cabinets

•  Fix leaks

•  Caulk and seal your bathtub

•  Tighten your toilet 

•  Replace toilet seat

•  Clean sink and tub drain

•  Clean out or replace tile grout

•  Replace broken cabinet hardware

•  Replace light bulbs

•  Fix or replace broken lighting fixtures

•  Tighten doorknobs and hinges

•  Locate keys for all locks

•  Locate garage door opener

•  Replace batteries

•  Fix or replace broken tiles

•  Clean up or replace tile grout

•  Fix and clean baseboard

•  Restore hardwood floors

•  Professional clean carpets

 A seller's greatest mistake is often overpricing her home. An over-inflated price means your house will be competing against homes that have more bedrooms and baths, or square footage, or a better location. Most buyers and real estate agents will know right away if a property is overpriced.     

The key to selling a home is in finding the right buyers, and that requires a lot of marketing and advertising. This is where working with a skilled agent can pay off. Skilled listing agents are skilled marketers. They know where to find the best buyers for your home, and they have access to a wealth of resources, including online listing services, print advertising distribution, large social media followings, even local agent networks. 

In addition to scheduled open houses, your home can be shown at any time, so be prepared. Keep it neat, clean, organized, and staged. Don't leave dirty dishes or laundry lying around, be sure to dust and vacuum regularly, and promptly address any potential clutter buildups. Additionally, you should be ready to clear out of the house during showings to avoid making buyers uncomfortable.