101 HomeSellingTips.com 101 Ways to successfully prepare your home for sale and get the HIGHEST price in the SHORTEST time

Today’s buyer wants a home that is in move in condition and they will walk away from a home that does not show well or is in poor condition just as fast as they will walk away from an overpriced property. In many instances it is hard to look at your house because it’s your home but a realtor is trained to do just that. We hope that these 101 ways will get you the sale that you are looking for.

EXTERIOR LANDSCAPING 1. Plan ahead and plant grass seed where

needed as the lawn can be a real turnoff or a turn on.

2. It’s a good idea to prune away any trees that distract from the view of your home. Pruning low limbs on trees can make a major difference.

3. Clean up everything. Make sure that any

debris or Broken fence parts, Bricks, Yard lights and mailboxes are in good repair.

8. Make sure that all exterior lighting works

properly.

9. Keep your lawn cut and neatly trimmed. 10. Use large pots of flowers or green plants on the deck or the front porch.

11. Consider repairing cracks and damages in

4. Remove any dead or dying shrubs and

the driveway in some instances it’s a good idea to have an asphalt driveway resealed before showing.

5. Put new mulch in the flowerbeds, around

12. If your home is going to be marketed

replace them with fresh ones.

shrubbery and the base of trees.

6. Make sure that all walkways are clean and in good repair.

7. If you don’t know what to do, Hire a

during the winter months when ice could be a problem it’s important that you keep your driveways and walkways cleaned and safe. “Curb Appeal” First Impressions are lasting

landscaping company to evaluate your property and give you a plan.

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EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDINGS 13. Repair and replace any broken or rotted trim and siding.

14. Paint everything that needs painting. Most people prefer to buy a home that is in good repair and ready to move in.

18. Check all screens and storm window to make sure they are in good condition.

19. Consider “power washing” the exterior and the walkways, decks, driveways, etc.

20. It’s important to create an “outdoor room” as it makes a house feel like home.

15. Replace any missing shingles from the roof.

21. Have the windows and windowsills cleaned inside and out.

16. Clean, repair, and

replace any gutters ad downspouts that are defective.

17. Invest in a new doormat.

“welcome, Come On In”

INTERIOR Be very careful about selecting paints colors, wallpaper and carpets if you decide to fix it up. Many buyers have a hard time looking beyond bold colors on the floor or on the walls. The idea is to get the home as close to neutral as possible and you can do this by using neutral tones.

22. Clean all the carpets and consider replace those that are worn or stained beyond cleaning.

23. Repair any dings in the trim or cabinets.

26. Remove any dated items such as wallpaper, light fixtures, etc.

27. Replace any hardware like doorstops,

Hardware stores have a variety of new products that can make this job easy and fun.

hinges, doorknobs, shower rods, faucets and switch guards that have become worn discolored or damaged.

24. Clean all the windows (inside and out)

28. Repair and/ or replace

icluding the skylights.

25. Make sure that all light fixtures are clean

any plumbing fixtures that are defective.

and in working order the same goes for electrical outlets.

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SPACE MANAGEMENT 29. It is important that all clutter be removed from every room and every closet.

30. Remove all of the boxes and clothes from the closets that are not going to be needed during the showing process.

32. Leave just enough accessories to give the home a personal touch but not so many that they become a distraction.

33. Use White light to make the home appear more spacious.

34. Take time to open the drapes and binds.

31. It may be a good idea

to rent a storage space to store all the items that are in the way. Don’t store them in the attic or garage.

35. Make sure that all the lights throughout the house are on before a showing.

“Make The Most of What You Have”

ROOM ANALYSIS The Front Entry is the area that forms the first impression of the house and it really needs your attention.

36. Make sure that the entry is in as near

39. Remove any musty odor by adding fresh

37. Well-placed and carefully chosen mir-

40. Put a fresh coat of paint in the entry

perfect condition as possible.

rors and rugs add to the appearance of any foyer or entry area.

38. Remove any off-season clothing or other items from the entry hall closet that can be stored elsewhere.

scents, such as baked goods.

coset to brighten it.

41. Water container plants/flowers. Replace if necessary.

42. Dust entry table or shelves.

THE DINING ROOM 43. Visually imagine a large dining area. 44. Remove extra “company” chairs.

45. Add fresh or silk flowers as a centerpiece on your dinging table.

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THE LIVING ROOM / FAMILY ROOM 46. Dust surfaces (including TV screen).

50. Vacuum rugs or mop floor.

47. Straighten coffee

51. Sweep fireplace.

table, bookshelves, and other areas.

52. Wipe down ceiling fan blades.

48. Stow away newspa-

53. Water houseplants.

pers, magazines, books, games, toys and videos.

54. Purchase trendy new throw pillows and

49. Vacuum upholstered furniture; wipe down leather or vinyl.

décor items keep it simple and fun!

“The Difference is in the Details”

THE KITCHEN 55. Mop or vacuum floor.

60. Stow away kitchen sponge and

56. Clean appliances. Yes, that includes the

dishtowels.

inside of the microwave, oven and refrigerator. 61. Open windows or run fan to remove cooking. 57. Avoid clutter! Clear items from 62. Lose the magnets… countertops and cabinets. all of them. 58. Wipe countertops and cabinets. 63. Clean off the top of the refrigerator. 59. Clean sink.

THE HOME OFFICE 64. Dust surfaces, including computer

67. Polish cabinets and woodwork.

65. Stow away files,

68. Straighten desk and bookshelves.

66. Mop floor or vacuum

69. Give away anything you do not use or

screen.

preferably “off site”

rugs.

is no longer needed.

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THE BEDROOMS 70. Large master bedrooms are extremely poplar today. Make your bedroom appear larger.

71. Paint the room a light color, if needed

75. Remove any

items from the floor

76. Lighted closets

72. Remove one of the dresser drawers or bureaus if the room is crowded.

look bigger, are more attractive and allow buyers to inspect the interiors-there are many battery- operated lights on the market.

73. Decorate the private bath of the master

77. Remove any unusual or personal wall

to coordinate with the bedroom.

74. Make Closets look spacious. Remove and

hangings such as posters and store them until your home is sold.

store all out of season clothing.

“Ready To Move in Now”

THE BATHROOM 78. Empty wastebaskets.

83. Repair leaking faucets.

79. Remove laundry.

84. Clean off mineral deposits with vinegar or a commercial cleaner.

80. Put out fresh towels

85. Replace old shower curtains.

81. Clear off countertop and store all personal care products.

86. Clean and repair caulking.

82. Dispose of old prescriptions and polish the 87. Display perfumed guest soap and add a plant for freshness.

shelves in the medicine cabinet.

THE BASEMENT 89. Clear clutter blocking access to furnace,

88. Sweep Stairs / Dust. “Everything is in Working Order”

electrical box or laundry room.

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THE GARAGE This is a very important part of a home for most buyers. It is important that the garage is cleaned and organized just as you would the other rooms in the house. Clutter and trash left in the garage destroy the one main thing most people looking for in a garage space, so make it look spacious.

90. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and the floor can make a huge difference.

91. Remove any stains or paint on the floor and repair any cracks or damages.

92. Consider remove any items that are not going to be used during the time that the house is going to be marketed.

93. If your garage is small and accommo-

dates one car, it is a good idea to leave the car in the driveway to give the appearance of spaciousness.

94. If you have a two-car garage, leave one car in the driveway when the house is being shown.

95. Put everything in its place- Typically,

80% of items stored in a garage can be kept on shelving and the other 20% (such as handled tools and gardening helpers) is generally stored on a hook.

96. If the garage is dark, add more light. A

well-lit and well-organized garage appears to be larger and thus adds value to the home. “it Will Fit”

HIGHLIGHTS TO FOCUS ON One of the most important things that you can do is to make sure that the home stays immaculate. Many Homeowners use the services of a professional cleaning service to get the home ready and to keep it in “ready to show” condition during the selling process. The idea is to make every area of the house sparkle and shine.

97. One of the most important steps in the

selling process is staging your home. Each room should be inviting, fresh, clutter-free and clean.

98. Get rid of fingerprints on windows, appliances and mirrors.

99. Odors- if your house has an unpleasant smell it will be very hard to sell (pets, diapers, garbage). “Here Comes The Offer”

100. Get your furnace, AC, electrical and

plumbing all up to snuff. Have your furnace and AC serviced and cleaned, electrical inspected, shine up your water heater, and make sure your plumbing works properly.

101. Curb Appeal- Make your house says,

“welcome, come on in” from the curb. Manicure your yard, free it of weeds edge your sidewalks, clean your gutters, wash the outside of the house, paint if needed, stain your deck if needed, trim and shrub and make any necessary repairs.

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