The best tips to prepare your house for sale!

I have been selling houses for more than 20 years! I practically grew up in a real estate office. Over the years I have heard a lot of advice on preparing your home for the real estate market. I’m sure some of you have heard a lot too. I’m going to mention ONLY my best tips and try to include some you may not have heard yet.

The first thing you should know is that when you sell your house and live in it too, it is NOT convenient. If you are a serious seller and want the best price for your house, there must be some sacrifices. Your dishes can no longer pile up in the sink, your dirty clothes need to make it to the hamper, the bed needs to be made every day before you leave, and your pets may have to spend a bit of time in crates, dog parks, and in the park. garage to be able to allow people to see your home more easily.

· Curb appeal is important.

o Dead grass, overgrown shrubs, dry spots, and generally unkempt yards make a bad first impression. There are financial arrangements for shipyards that need help. Adding sprinklers, grass, and hard surfaces can be expensive. Reseeding, mulching flower beds, and getting rid of ugly or overgrown plants can work wonders.

o Also, be honest about the exterior paint and condition of your home. Peeling paint, dry rot, roof issues, and poor paint jobs make the buyer feel like the investment is already too big and they haven’t even seen the inside of the home.

o Remove all trash from the front of the house. The benches, pots, and knick-knacks you love can seem like a mess to some shoppers. Less is more!

· Pre-pack, tidy up and clean your house!

o Buyers feel uncomfortable seeing an occupied house as it is, when there is clutter, knick-knacks, pictures, statues, awards, appliances, beauty products, kitchen supplies, food and paperwork, they feel like they are intruding. Buyers also tend to equate your cleaning skills with your home maintenance habits. It will decrease the value they find in their home.

o Excess furniture and possessions make your home feel smaller. Remove the necessary furniture and store it in the garage. If your table only needs 6 chairs, remove the other 2. If you have 3 layers in a small living room, consider moving one to the garage.

o Pack anything and everything you can. This includes any clothes you are not wearing that may be lying around or in your closets.

o Scrub your showers, sinks, and counters. Clean your floors, baseboards, windows, appliances, shelves, and window frames. Clean, Clean, Clean!!

· Make your home smell good!

o I find that many people have no idea that their home has a smell. Just yesterday I entered a house that smelled terrible of cat. Ask an honest friend “how does my house smell to you?” Deodorize carpets, relocate pet areas, don’t smoke in the house, and watch out for smelly food before the buyers arrive. Place accessories in all rooms. Buyers should be greeted with a wonderful fragrance that tells them their home is cozy and clean!

· Limit your farts.

o I am an animal lover and have 5 pets! So… I understand all the people who love Fido and Fluffy and don’t want to see them stressed. However… Buyers are afraid of their animals and fear that they will accidentally let their pet out. Also, some buyers will have young children who are not used to animals or may have severe allergies. Be sure to make arrangements for your pets that are convenient for all agents showing your home. Vacuum frequently. Keep kitty boxes clean and yards free of dog treats.

· Neutralize your home.

I have a wonderful burgundy wall in my living room; this is the first thing i would have to paint if i had to sell my house. Burgundy is far from a neutral color and some people will hate my wall. Whenever it’s financially feasible, paint your home neutral colors (navajo white and plain white are not considered “in” by the way). If you can’t afford to paint every room, do your best to neutralize the main areas, such as the living room, family room, and kitchen, or the areas the buyer will first see upon entering. First impressions are lasting. Also, if you have a particularly bold room, consider painting at least that area. Black walls, burgundy, red, bright colors are definitely not to everyone’s liking.