Making a great first impression

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Exterior Appearance

• Keep lawns cut: An uncut lawn will make a buyer feel there are other things about the home that are also neglected, which could lead to not wanting to see the home.
• Trim hedges and shrubs: As with the lawn, this affects the curb appeal when left neglected.
• Weed and edge gardens: What is the point in having a garden if it doesn’t add beauty to the home and yard? Freshen up the plants by taking off any dead leaves and flowers, weed & edge the area, and add some fresh mulch to add a new fresh feel to the garden.
• Clear driveway and clean up oil spills: Make sure the driveway is always clear of toys, bikes, trash cans, and other items. If there is oil on the driveway, clean it with some solvent from an auto store or K-mart, then wash it so it is clean of all spills.
• Clean out the garage: The garage should be viewed as a garage to be able to put a car in, not a storage shed. When a buyer sees that the garage is used for storage, they will assume the home is too small and has a lack of storage. It will also free up your driveway, making curb appeal better if the car is in the garage and the garage door closed.
• Touch up paint: If the exterior of your home, garage, or any other outbuilding is in need of paint or repair, do it before the home goes on the market. Again, first impressions are everything!

Maintenance

• Repair leaking taps and toilets: If not fixed when a buyer is looking at the home for the first time, these issues will be flagged during inspection and requested to be repaired. Addressing them now is better than later.
• Clean furnace and filters, and if you have an air conditioner, do the same: This should be done as normal yearly maintenance to add to the life of these expensive items. The working condition of these items will be a major concern for any buyer.
• Tighten door knobs and latches: Double-check interior and exterior knobs and latches so that they are not loose and are in good working order.
• Repair cracked plaster: If your home has plaster walls in need of repair, consult a plaster expert and have it professionally done.
• Clean and repair windows: Make sure all windows are clean and replace cracked or broken glass. If you have slider windows, make sure the tracks are clean and oiled so they slide easily.
• Repair seals around tubs and basins: Purchase caulking at a hardware store and replace and repair where needed.
• Replace defective light bulbs: If the home is shown when lights are needed, make sure all bulbs are in working order. Bathrooms and other smaller areas need to be well lighted.
• Oil squeaking doors: Check all the doors in the home, including closets, for any squeaking and use a little oil to correct it.
• Repair squeaking floorboards: Repairing squeaking floorboards can be difficult depending on your floor coverings. If you do not want to attempt it yourself, call a professional flooring company.

Squeaky Clean

• Clean and freshen bathrooms: Kitchens and baths should be clean and spotless. These are two rooms that buyers pay close attention to, and when clean and bright, they make a great first impression.
• Clean fridge and stove (in and out): Even if the appliances are not included in the sale, they should be clean and in perfect working order. Odors come from a dirty stove or fridge and can leave a poor first impression.

Create Space

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter: Halls and stairs blocked by clutter will cause the buyer to feel the areas are small and may not be comfortable walking over items to get to another area of the home. There is also a safety issue.
• Store surplus furniture: This will make the rooms seem more spacious. Try not to store these items elsewhere in the home, garage, or basement. Renting a storage unit for unused items is worth the investment. If these are not items you plan on moving, consider a pre-sale garage sale.
• Clear kitchen clutter off the counters and stovetop: Buyers want a kitchen that feels spacious and appears clean and fresh. The stovetop should never have items piled on it. It not only looks like there is not counter space, but it is also unsafe.
• Remove empty boxes and containers: These items should be placed in a storage unit until ready to use.

At the Front Door

• Clean porch and foyer: This is the first thing the buyer will see when entering your home. Make sure the porch is free of clutter and swept clean of dirt. If you are in a snow or ice climate, make sure it is shoveled and salted. The foyer should be clean and is a good location for a small table with fresh flowers if there is room.
• Ensure doorbell is in working order: Test your doorbell to make sure it works so you can hear it when a buyer or real estate agent comes to the door.
• Repair screen on door or other outdoor areas with screening: All screens should be repaired before the home is on the market. Screens help bring the outside indoors, and many buyers want to be able to open windows and doors when the weather is nice.
• Fresh paint or varnish front door: The front door is the entry point for prospective buyers. It should look inviting and have a fresh look.
• Repair door locks and key access: Like the front door, this is what the buyer will see when entering the home. If door locks and hardware are not in good condition, replace them. Make sure the key works easily in the lock if your home is going to be shown by real estate agents.