By Heidi Johnston, REALTOR®
Do you want to sell your house fast and for top dollar? If so, roll up your sleeves and put it in showcase condition. You won’t need to spend thousands of dollars on updates, but you will need to make a serious investment of time to make it emptier and cleaner.
Start by setting aside your emotional attachment. Think of your house as a product to be sold. Pretend to see each room for the first time, as if through the eyes of a buyer. What do you need to change to help buyers mentally picture their things in the same space?
De-clutter and Clear Out
Your goal is to create space and provide an easy traffic flow pattern. Pack away or store anything unnecessary, including furniture. Designate a storage area in your garage or basement, or rent a POD. If you have items you don’t want to keep, give them away or contact worthy organizations in need of donations.
Thin overstuffed bookshelves to a quarter of their contents. Put away most of your artwork. Clear the kitchen counter tops by putting small appliances away, and strip the refrigerator of any flyers, mail or magnets. In the bathroom, keep everyday items in a bin under the sink.
Buyers will look inside your closets, so organize them. Give the appearance of ample closet space, regardless of the actual size, by making them partly empty. Use matching hangers, and gather loose items like shoes into bins. Store anything you don’t routinely use somewhere else.
Avoid displaying anything fragile, political or personal, including family photos. The more neutral the room appears, the better. Make it a blank canvas for the next owner.
Clean and Repair
Scour, scrub and dust. Wash the floors, and vacuum the rugs. Make the glass sparkle. The kitchen and bath, especially, should be spotless. Put the dishes away, empty the garbage and make the beds. Bribe your family to cooperate and reward them for a job well done!
If you notice a need for small repairs, make them. Loose door knobs and handrails should be tightened. Spent light bulbs should be replaced. Broken items, fixed.
Decorate and Brighten
Add simple accents, like pillows or vases. If you have a fireplace, highlight it. In the bathroom, color coordinate the towels, and consider a fresh shower curtain. Decorative soap in the kitchen and bath are an added touch.
Open the blinds and curtains and let in the sunshine. Add brightness with natural light or lamps. Repaint in light, neutral colors, if needed.
Add Curb Appeal
Make your house look inviting to anyone driving by. Put out a welcome mat and a modest seasonal decoration. Check the condition of the exterior paint and touch up as needed, especially on the front door and surrounding trim.
Sounds like a lot of work, right? It may be, yet consider that you’d have to do it eventually. By packing and cleaning before you list the house for sale, instead of right before you move out, you stand to attract more buyers and maximize their bids. You’ll be ahead of the game, and all the richer for it.