How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

If your home makes a good impression on buyers, your chances of selling it faster and more money are greater.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spackle
• All-purpose Cleaners
• Carpet Cleaner
• Lawn Mowers
• Long-handled Feather Dusters
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Weed Cutters
• Carpet Cleaner
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Inspectors
• Caulks
• Paintbrushes

1. Obtain a pest inspection. Make the required repairs and keep a copy of the clearance handy to share with buyers.

2. Choose little fixes that make a big difference. Replace old caulk in the kitchens and bathrooms; retouch paint, and repaint if necessary; get car-pets cleaned; get rid of clutter; use brighter lightbulbs and open curtains to make rooms look bigger; get rid of pet odors.

3. Decide on which upgrades to make - such as replacing old, worn carpet; or replacing old sink faucets and light fixtures.

4. Make the entrance grand. First impressions are important.

5. Make sure your yard and landscaping are in top shape.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an inspection, get a one-year home-repair warranty that transfers to the new buyer. This relieves buyers' worries that something may go wrong with the property.
• Really clean out those closets.
• Don't spend too much money on changes that won't enhance your bottom line.

[rafflemansion]

on 3/27/2009 I've looked in to putting my home on the market for years now, but the best place I've seen so far is a website called rafflemansion.com . They help homeowners find non-profit charities that want to raffle their homes, then sum lucky winner gets the home for about 100 bucks! Check it out at www.rafflemansion.com

on 1/16/2006 I am a Realtor in Louisville, KY. Some little things you should do before putting your home on the market:

1. Depersonalize, take down all the little things that say this is my house. The buyers must be able to walk into a home and see themselves as living there. Pictures, items on the fridge like magnets and drawings the kids have done - pack them away. Remember. you are going to move anyway.

2. Declutter, make your house as empty as possible. Your square footage will appear larger. Empty out as much from the closets, bookshelves, garage and don't forget the kid's rooms. Store it off site if you can.

3. Neutralize the colors! Paint every room the same neutral color. If you are re-carpeting do the same thing, one neutral color throughout.

4. Deodorize, you probably don't smell it, since you are desensitized to it. Animals are the biggies here. Please don't try to cover it up with candles.

5. Have an unbiased person come in and look around and make a list for you of all the things that need repaired or taken care of. We tend not to see these little annoyances after a while.

I hope these little tips help, I hear these over and over again from buyers and previewing Realtors in the business. Good luck.

on 11/22/2005 Before showing the house, bake bread or cookies to give the homey feeling.

on 11/22/2005 We sold four residences and spent a lot of time and energy making them perfect. The quickest sale was before we even got the house "ready" for sale - the buyer wanted that particular house in that particular area.