Preparing Your Home to Sell!

Getting your home ready for sale is not something that should be rushed but is VITAL and will play a big role in not only how fast your home Sells, as well as for How Much.

Perception matters... BIG TIME!!! Within the first 15 seconds of a Buyer seeing your home, they have probably established some thoughts as to what they expect to see inside. It is crucial to have your home in Tip Top shape before starting showings to get the Best action out of Buyers from Day 1.

Follow these Key Steps to maximize your Bottom Line!

Detach Yourself From Your Home.
- Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a bag of potato Chips from your Local Grocers shelves.”
- "Let Go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
- Picture yourself handing over the to the new owners!
- Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.
- You must put your self in the Buyers Shoes and be as critical as you would be about someone else's home.
- Hire a third party who can give you honest opinions and sound advice.

De-Personalize
Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine 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."

The Clutter has to GO!!!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't touched it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
- If you don't need it, get rid of it by either donating it or throwing it away?
- Remove all books from bookcases to give a consistent feel to the bookcase.
- Pack up those knickknacks that take up space.
- Clean off everything on kitchen and bathroom counter tops.
- Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet or cabinet when not in use.
- This is a head start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

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:
- Organize spice jars and canned goods.
- Neatly stack dishes.
- Turn all coffee cup handles facing the same way.
- Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
- Line up shoes.

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 you emptied your bookcases, store them to make more space. Remove extra leaves from your 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 and saying, "What can I do with this room?"

Remove/Replace Favourite Items

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, they won't want it, period! The last thing you want is a personal item to blow your sale because the buyers really want it! Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

Make All The Minor Repairs
- Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
- Repair any wobbly interlocking pathways or patio stones.
- Patch holes in walls.
- 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. (Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the Electric Orange bathroom.")
- Replace burned-out light bulbs.
- If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now! (You get to take it with you!)

Make the House Sparkle!
- Wash all 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 the refrigerator.
- Vacuum daily.
- Wax floors.
- Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
- Bleach dingy grout.
- Replace worn rugs and carpets.
- Hang up fresh towels that suit the bathrooms colour (make the investment in new towels if you must).
- Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odours are a BIG no-no. Especially Smoke and Pet Urine smalls

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 tone and function. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
- Does it look like a model home? You're almost finished.
- Check Curb Appeal.If buyers won't get out of her agent's car because they doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside.
- Keep the sidewalks cleared.
- Mow the lawn.
- Paint faded window trim.
- Plant yellow flowers or group flowerpots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. (Marigolds are inexpensive).
- Trim your bushes and trees.
- Edge your flowerbeds perimeter for a clean defined look.
- Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
- Re-Seal your driveway if there is obvious Colour obscurities.
- In Winter, Make sure your driveway and front pathway is shovelled all the way down to the concrete.

Find out More... Click here to view a Video on Preparing Your Home for an Open House.

If you would like a Copy of The Coldwell Banker Home Enhancement Guide email: Darcy Toombs with your name and address.