The Homeowner's To Do List

The Homeowner’s To Do List: Getting Started

Clean.  A thorough cleaning not only helps you present your home in its best light, it also helps you assess its condition.  Thoroughly wash the windows, walls, surfaces and floors; deep clean all of the carpets and polish and shine all reflective surfaces and fixtures (get rid of smudges that visually age appliances, etc.).

Clear the clutter.  Throw away items that are broken or beyond repair and donate items that are still usable, but no longer useful to you. Not only will clearing the clutter make the moving process easier, it’ll also make it easier for potential buyers to see the great features of your home.  As you get organized and are de-cluttering, you may want to consider a garage sale or selling your unwanted items online, here are a couple of links with tips on successful sales: Get More Space: Sell Extra Household Items and Sell Stuff Online: Picking the Right Site.

Make repairs and updates.  Most buyers are seeking a move-in ready home. Look for and repair any damage, including leaks and drafts.  Replace outdated light fixtures, appliances and windows.  Here’s another helpful source to help you keep ahead of potential repair disasters: Home Maintenance Made Easy. Paint. Painting is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of a home.  On the interior, it gives your buyers a blank canvas to make the home their own once they buy it.  On the exterior, a fresh coat of paint makes the home look like new.

Think about staging.  Staging helps your home look its best for listing photos, open houses and showings.  Something as simple as the placement of the furniture can accent its best features.  Did you know that 96% of buyers’ agents say that buyers are positively affected by home staging, according to the NAR Profile of Home Staging?  If you would like help or live in a competitive market, consider hiring a professional.

Don’t forget your landscape.  Mow the lawn, weed your flower beds and prune any unruly hedges and shrubs.  Additionally, make sure that your sprinkler system is in good working order and make any repairs to your porch, fence, gutters and other parts of your home’s exterior.  Here’s another helpful link about some of the best ways to maintain your property: Top 3 Trends in Landscaping and Keep Your Property in Top Shape.

IMPORTANT TIP:  Don’t forget to continue to clean and maintain the interior and exterior of your home while it’s on the market.  Buyers may overlook your home if its condition doesn’t match the photos.