Preparing Your Home to Sell

Preparing a home to sell can be much harder thannot like and decide they do not like the house. Thus
people think. Does this sound intimidating? Well, it'sthey do not see the potential of the whole room or
really not. Just do a few things to make sure thatthe rest of the house. You should try to make your
your home feels warm, clean, and inviting.house as "buyer friendly" as you are able.
Clean the home. It may seem obvious - the need toClutter should be gone. To make your home buyer
clean up your house before inviting in a Realtor orfriendly, make it easy and convenient for them to
even buyers. However, many people leave theirsee the home that they would want to live in. This is
houses dirty. Here's a hint: those considering buyingdone by putting your things away and having as
your house do not want to see how it normally looksopen a feel as possible. Then it is a simple matter for
- which might be in a messy state. They want to seevisitors to imagine how they could live in that house.
the house clean, so that they can visualizeSo get out the boxes and start putting things away.
themselves living there. The buyer wants to seePut away and box up all toys, family photos, and heir
what the house can become, and they can only seelooms. Remove or even throw away knick knacks.
this if the house is clean.Shelves and book cases need to be clean and nearly
Shampoo or professionally clean your carpets. If youempty, so that potential buyers see the potential
have hardwood floors, you should polish them.home they want to buy. You should also remove a
However, if you have carpets or rugs, then theselot of books from bookcases. This will allow them to
should be cleaned by a professional. Steam cleaners,imagine the house filled with their things.
such as those available for rent at your local grocerySet up the home. You should leave a few candles
store, do a decent job of upkeep on your carpets.and some nice hand towels on the bathroom
But if you want potential buyers to be interested incounter, a few collector's editions or nice looking
your house, you will need a deep cleaning systembooks in the bookshelves, fresh flowers that match
with a heavy duty stain removal solution. Yourthe kitchen decor on the dining room table, and few
carpets and rugs should look new so that the newmagazines in a fan pattern on the coffee table. Get
owners will not say that they need new carpetsrid of any furniture that takes away from the
before closing on the purchase.proposed value of the home or doesn't match the
Walls should be painted. This step may not behome. For example, an older trunk that has been
required if you have just painted your house. But ifpassed down for generations doesn't always have to
you painted in bright colors or with unique patterns,be in the family room. What you are trying to do is
you are going to have to paint again. The house paintto make each room in the house look appealing and
should be a neutral color throughout most of thecomfortable.
house. Kitchens should be a brighter color. Any workBaking cookies is a good way to do this. If you don't
space, such as the office, should be a more neutraldo much baking, simply buy some cookie dough and
but professional color. If there are walls in your homeput it in to bake about 20 minutes before a showing.
that are painted with an accent color then you shouldThe cookies should have time to bake and cool, and
think about painting over them. You may think theyyou will have time to leave before the showing.
look great, but your buyers may not appreciateWhat's the reason for baking cookies? To make your
them. For example, if your home has a strong Asianhouse feel like a welcoming and happy home, the
motif, the dark red accent on the walls may turn offsmell of fresh baked cookies, along with the other
potential buyers. They see only the designs they dothings, will be perfect.