5 Items To Prepare Your Home For A Sale

5 Items To Prepare Your Home For A Sale

Thinking about listing your home for sale? Want to ensure you get top dollar for your home without breaking the bank?  Then it’s time to make a few simple cosmetic improvements that are sure to impress potential buyers and get that SOLD sign up in no time.

1. Put Away Useless Clutter

Cluttered spaces feel messy and small to a potential buyer.  A typical home buyer is usually thinking “do I see myself living here?” as they walk through your home so it’s important they realize the full potential your home has to offer at first glance.  Box up anything you won’t be using in the next few months (including holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, sports equipment, old toys, etc.) and ship it to your local storage facility. Remove any pieces of furniture that might be in rough shape or make the room feel crowded.

2. Impress Buyers at the Door

Does your front door say “come on in!” or does it scream “procced with caution”?  Potential buyers will likely spend at least a few minutes here while the realtor looks for keys to let them in.  Start by making sure the door is in good shape and give a fresh coat of paint if it looks aged.  Clean the glass to a sparking finish and ensure the hardware is polished and firmly secured. Finish off the look by adding a welcoming doormat, pretty pots with plants or flowers at the door.

3. Update Those Old Window Treatments

Gloomy draperies, damaged window shades or bent mini-blinds will hurt your chances of a quick sale.  Replace these outdated items with simple mini-blinds or wood blinds cut-to-measure at your local big box hardware store.  Avoid darker colors as white blinds look lighter and more inviting. This is a simple and fairly inexpensive fix that can refresh your home almost overnight. 

4. Install Closet Organizers

Crowded and over stuffed closets give off the impression there isn’t enough storage space for clothing and household items.  Go through your closets and store (or donate) anything that’s not used on a regular basis. Once you have emptied your closets, install shelving or a closet system from a home center and refill with just enough items so the closets looks organized, but not cluttered.

5. Showcase Wood Flooring

Worn, ugly, or stained carpeting is probably the number one turn off for a potential home buyer.  If you have hardwood floors underneath however, the fix is easy.  Remove the carpeting and expose the wood floor underneath.  Buyers won’t have to wonder what lies beneath the carpet and will likely love the warm and natural look of hardwood flooring.