First impressions are key, and you need to make them count. When Buyers walk into a home that is uncluttered and sparkling clean, they can better appreciate the appeal and will take more time to look at all your home has to offer. Plus, they clearly see a pride of ownership, inspiring trust that the home has been well cared for and a confidence in the integrity of the property.
We encourage our Sellers to make their homes shine and show off their property to its best advantage. This helps immensely to shorten the sale cycle and strengthen the value of the home. Other real estate agents can rely on a Garden Brook listing to show well, which means they are more apt to include it when putting together a list of appointments for their prospective Buyers.
How to Sell Your House – Checklist for Making Your Home Showplace-Ready:
Landscaping and Exterior
- Keep the lawn and landscaping trimmed
- Sweep or spray sidewalk, patios, decks and outside entrances
- Shake out doormats; Coil or stow garden hose
- Water plants & flowers in containers; replace if necessary
- Spray wash, repair or paint outer walls, fences and retaining walls
- Ensure outside area is clean & tidy
- Sweep garage, organize and put items neatly in place
Interior
- Mop floors, shake out rugs, vacuum carpet
- Vacuum upholstered furniture; wipe down leather or vinyl
- Clean doors and windows, inside and out – Make glass, brass & silver sparkle!
- Polish doorknobs; Wipe down ceiling fan blades, light fixtures & blinds
- Tidy up closets, drawers and cupboards
- Water houseplants; replace if necessary
- Tidy, clean, dust & polish all tables, shelves and other areas
- Clean spots off walls, doors and kitchen cabinets (Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser works wonders on many stubborn spots & scuffmarks)
- Dust all surfaces, including TV and computer LCD screens (Never use bleach, ammonia or Windex on TV or computer LCD)
- Sweep fireplace; Organize and put away clutter – Your home will appear more spacious
- Clean appliances inside and out – Make them shine!
- Open windows or run fan to remove cooking odors; Empty wastebaskets
- Wipe countertops and cabinets; Stow away sponge and dish towels
- Clean sinks, mirrors, bathtubs, showers and faucets – Ensure they sparkle!
- Wipe down wet shower stalls and bathtubs; Put out fresh towels
- Put away shoes, laundry, clothes, books or toys
- Clear away clutter blocking access to furnace, electrical box or laundry room
The Showing Appointment
It’s best to leave the home while an agent is showing it. Buyers will feel more at ease and take the time to give it a thorough viewing. Buyers will also be more open in asking questions or giving their honest impressions of the home, which can be good feedback for us to share with you after we follow up with the Buyer’s agent.
Tips for Showing Your Home
- Make sure your home is clutter free, inside and out
- Pull drapes and blinds throughout the house to let in light and open up the view
- Switch on lights to brighten rooms
- Have all valuables and prescription drugs safely out of sight
- Make your home sparkle and shine!
Repairs to Help Your Home Sell
Peeling paint. Rusted faucets. A broken window. These are things that can turn off potential Buyers when they walk through the door. It’s just good sense to make cosmetic improvements and at least minor repairs before listing your home. Not only will it bolster the value of your property, but you will get more showings from good agents who preview homes for their Buyers.
If you are a good DYI-er, the cost to repair, replace and enhance is often minimal and could mean the difference between a quick sales cycle and your home sitting on the market for months.
Cost-Effective Repairs & Improvements
- Repair or replace damaged flooring, like cracked tiles or torn linoleum
- Repair or replace damaged sinks, rusty faucets and leaky plumbing fixtures
- Fill and paint any cracks or holes in the walls, ceilings and doors
- If interiors look dingy, paint full rooms & ceilings for a fresher, brighter ambience
- Replace burned-out bulbs and broken electrical sockets
- Fix or replace broken stairs, inside and out
- Replace old rusty locks and doorknobs
- Fix doors & windows that don’t open easily. Replace broken garage door openers
- Replace cracked windows. Replace or remove torn screens
- Repair or replace loose seals around windows or doorways
- Fix cracks in the driveway and entrance walkway. Clean up stains (Oil degreaser and kitty litter make a good combo for getting up oil stains)
- Touch up paint on peeling walls, window frames, porches, and shutters
- Replace broken gutters or missing downspouts
- Repair broken boards on decks. Brighten up a fading deck with a new coat of sealer
- Patch worn spots on roof. Replace lost or broken shingles. Tack down loose flashing
