Preparing Your Home for Sale

Before any potential buyers visit, Donna will help you prepare your home for sale. She will start with a tour of the home with the eye of a buyer. Then, she will talk with you about what works, what may be distracting to a buyer, and possible solutions.

Outside – Curb Appeal

Everyone knows how important it is to make a good first impression, and the same is true when selling a home. The way your home looks from the street – its curb appeal – can make or break the sale. Below is a basic checklist for creating curb appeal that will add dollars to your house's selling price.

The Home’s Exterior

• Brighten the home’s appearance with power washing or fresh paint.
• Repair/replace any torn screens.
• Make sure the front door is clean and in good shape.
• Remove any building materials, scrap wood, or old household items from the property.
• Clear the roof of any debris and make sure gutters are hanging neatly.

The Yard and Driveway

Keep the lawn mowed and trim trees and bushes.

• Clean out flower/garden beds of debris and weeds.
• Remove grease or oil spots in your driveway.

Inside – Setting the Stage

Inside the house, the goal is to create a sense of openness and to de-personalize the house so buyers can imagine it as their home. Below is a list of recommendations to help you maximize the interior appeal of your home.

Throughout the Interior

• Remove all unnecessary furniture to make your rooms seem more spacious.
• Brighten rooms with a fresh paint, using neutral shades of white, off-white, or beige.
• Have carpets professionally cleaned or replaced if they are in poor condition.
• Eliminate clutter from tables, countertops, and bookshelves.
• Clean out and straighten closets, pantries, and cupboards.
• Clean windows inside and out so natural light shines into the house.

Kitchen

• Pack up and/or store countertop kitchen appliances.
• Clean the oven and refrigerator both inside and out.
• Remove all artwork, pictures, notes, and magnets from the refrigerator door.

Bathroom

• Clear the bathroom vanity of all personal items such as toothbrushes, hair care products, and make-up.
• Remove stains from bathroom fixtures.
• Repair dripping faucets and polish mirrors.