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In preparing your house to sell, ask yourself over
and over if your house looks like someone else's dream house. Houses in
move-in condition tend to be inviting to buyers; houses that are in
like-new condition typically sell fastest and procures the best price
because it outshine the competition.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider
as you look over your house when getting ready to sell:
Exterior
Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the time you have to create a
good first impression! Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs
that keep light out of the house, and remove dead plants. It will
probably be easier to sell your house if the buyer can see it, outside
and in. Pick up tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials
and store them neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean all
windows and mend torn screens. Paint your house, if necessary. This can
probably help improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you
decide against painting the entire house, at least consider painting the
front door, window frames, and shutters. Seal or resurface the driveway
and repair broken steps and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and
post. Dress up the front yard with some simple landscaping.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you were seeing it
for the first time. Every room should be neat, spotlessly clean, dusted,
and uncluttered. Steam clean the carpets and wax the floors. Wash the
walls, windows, and light fixtures. Tighten loose stair railings and
clean all woodwork. In the event that you feel a project of this
magnitude is better left to a professional, ask your real estate agent
to recommend a professional cleaning service.
Entryway
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Fill the
house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries in the summer or cinnamon
in the winter, or some other fresh scent.
Living Room
Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It costs money, but you may find
that you will more than recoup that cost when the home sells. Patch
cracks and nail holes in the walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors,
such as white or ivory. Nail down creaking boards and stair treads.
Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Open all curtains, and
replace them if they are getting old. Add lamps and lighting if the
house is dark. Set out fresh flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms look more spacious.
Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture to a storage unit.
Remember, too much furniture and too many knick-knacks make rooms look
cluttered and small. One or two decorative items per surface is plenty,
so pack the rest away. Visit model homes for decorating ideas.
Kitchen and Baths
These rooms should sparkle! Clear off counters, and clean all appliances
and fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk tubs and showers.
Clean these rooms thoroughly, and be sure they smell fresh!
Closets
Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard anyway when
you move. Organize shelves and straighten shoes. Be sure that sliding
doors operate smoothly on their tracks and knobs on drawers are secure.
Utility Room
Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust and wash off the
water heater.
Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace wallpaper with
white or off-white paint, and repaint shabby or dark walls. Open the
blinds, and replace broken windows and window seals. Always maintain a
comfortable temperature inside the house, even if you are away for an
extended period of time.
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