Step 2: Get Your Home Ready for Sale

Shaping Up to Ship Out

To make your home appealing to a buyer, it has to be inviting. Many buyers don't want to put forth the effort or take the time to fix up a home. Getting your home in move-in condition for them will do a lot to speed up the selling process and bring in quality offers.

Repairs

If you have the money for repairs, do what you can, especially for anything that’s obviously broken. Leaving the buyers responsible for repairs can significantly decrease the amount of money prospective buyers offer you for the home.

The common thought is, why pay full price for a home that isn’t fully functional? If a buyer knows going in they’ll have to pay for repairs on the home, they’re going to want a price reduction that will make up for the needed repairs.

Clean, Declutter & Depersonalize

Start getting yourself (and your family) ready to move out.

Give your home a good, deep cleaning.

Packing up things like excess furniture, family photos, knick-knacks, religious items, and political posters.

Have the mindset that “less is more.” The fewer things in the home, the larger your home will look, and the fewer personal objects in the home, the easier it will be for potential buyers to envision themselves in your home.

Not only will you have these items stored away for safe keeping so you’re less likely to lose or forget them in the move, you’ll have less work to do when it’s time to move out.

Improve Exterior Home Appeal

The first thing a prospective home buyer will see is your driveway, the front of your home and your front yard, and first impressions are everything.

Clean Up

Remove any trash, loose leaves, trash cans, etc. away from the front of the house. Store unneeded things in an undisclosed place. Straightening up will give your front yard an automatic face lift.

Trim and Cut

Make sure to mow the lawn, and trim plants and flowers in a nice neat fashion. If you have empty soil, spend a couple of dollars and place a potted plant in the needed area.

Sweep and Water

Nothing gives your front yard a face lift like a good old fashioned broom and a garden hose. Sweep and spray down your driveway or walkway. Make sure your cement areas are spick and span.

Dress Up Your Front Porch & Front Door

Invest in a brand new welcome mat and by some small plants or flowers that line the walkway to your door.

Make sure you clean and scrub your front door, and surrounding areas. Using soap and water, make sure there are no cobwebs, dirt or grime in corners.

Sparkling Windows

Start with soap and water, and finish off any front windows with glass cleaner. You want your front windows sparkling.

Handle It

Out with the shabby, in with your home being sold. Don't be afraid to invest a couple extra bucks in a new door handle or door knocker.

Accentuate your Selling Points

Every home may have a different characteristic that makes it home beautiful. Natural light, an attractive lawn, a bonus room, french doors, a large backyard, etc. Whatever your special characteristic is, make sure to show it off to your prospective home buyers!