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10 Tips on How to Prepare Your

Home for Sale

TIP No. 1

 

Time To Let Go and Disassociate Yourself With Your Home

 

The decision has already been made to sell the home - so it's now time to get your

head in the game and realize that the house has now become a "product" and that

from this point forward this is a business transaction.  There are many things you can

do to help the house sell more quickly and for more money and we will cover some of

those in the next steps - but for now you need to come to peace with the process. 

 

  • Say to yourself, "This is no longer my home; it is just a house -- a product to be sold much like an item on a store shelf".

 

  • Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours and you will be moving on to a new home that you will love even more..

 

  • Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the happy new owners!

 

  • Say goodbye to every room.

 

  • Don't look backwards -- look toward the future and all the great times ahead and new memories to be made in your next home.  This is going to be an exciting journey - embrace it!​

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Tip No. 2

De-Personalize

OK - this is a bit tough.  But it's now time to pack up all those personal photographs,

family heirlooms, fridge art, curling trophies, etc.  Remember from tip one, you're selling

the house and have already moved on and it's just a matter of time now until you are

moving into your next home. 

 

The important thing here is that buyers generally can't see past personal artifacts, and

you don't want them to be distracted while looking at the house.  You want buyers to

imagine this as their home with their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if

yours are there.

You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?"  You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."  They can't do that when the are walking through your personal museum.  Remember, we're only putting these things away temporarily until you move in and decorate.

TIP No. 3

De-Clutter

People collect an amazing quality of junk.  Consider this:  if you havent't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.  If you don't need it, why not dontate it or throw it away?

  • Remove all books from bookcases

  • Clean off everything on kitchen counters

  • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use

  • Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to

TIP No. 4

Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets

Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors.  Think of the message it sends

if items fall out!  Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized.  

It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.  This means:

 

  • Alphabetized spice jars

  • Neatly stack dishes

  • Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way

  • Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction

  • Line up shoes

TIP NO. 5

Rent a Storage Unit

Almost every home shows better with less furniture.  Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage.  Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from you dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.  You don't want buyers scratching their heads saying, "What is this room used for"?

TIP NO. 6

If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now.  If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down.  If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it.  Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow youor deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

Remove/Replace Favourite Items

Tip No. 7

Make Minor Repairs

Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home in a negative way

 

  • Patch holes in walls

  • Replace cracked floor or counter tiles

  • Fix leaky faucets

  • Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam

  • Consider painting your walls neutral colours, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls

  • Replace burned out light bulbs

  • If you have considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

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Tip No. 8

MakeThe House Sparkle!

  • Wash windows inside and out

  • Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior

  • Clean out cobwebs

  • Re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks

  • Polish chrome faucets and mirrors

  • Clean out refrigerator

  • Vacuum daily

  • Wax floors

  • Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures

  • Bleach dingy grout

  • Replace worn rugs

  • Hang up fresh towels

  • Clean and air out any musty smelling areas.  Odors are a no-no

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Tip No. 9

Scrutinize

  • ​Go outside and open your front door.  Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?

  • Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.

  • Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.

  • Make sure window coverings hang level

  • Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?

  • Does it look like nobody lives in this house? 

Tip No. 10

Check Curb Appeal

If a buyer won't get out of her agen'ts car because she doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get her inside.  

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  • Keep the sidewalks cleared

  • Mow the lawn

  • Paint faded window trim

  • Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together.  Yellow evokes a buying emotion.  Marigolds are inexpensive

  • Trim your bushes

  • Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number

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