What Do I Need to do to Get My Home Ready To Sell?

Your moving and you are overwhelmed. You have lived in this house for 30, 40 or even 50 years and you don't know where to start. Take tiny steps. One project at a time, one room at a time. If you get stuck, there are resources that can help you. Breathe and let's get started.

What do you need to do to get your home ready to sell. Here are some of the items to take into consideration before you list the home. The items I am discussing here are mostly inexpensive, especially if your are on a tight budget.

1. Declutter: Take it slow do one room at a time. Look around at all the personal items you have, i.e. family photos on the walls, collectibles, and anything that will distract a buyer as they are looking around the house. Do some of the rooms have too much furniture, remove the pieces that are not needed. You want the rooms to look spacious. You may have to rent a storage unit or if possible put some of the items in the garage. There are people that will help you pack and even take the give aways to local donation centers.
2. Deep Clean: The house should be squeaky clean. While you may not be able to spend a lot of money on updates, yet a clean house is impressive.
3. Flooring: are the carpets soiled, can they be cleaned. If worn completely in some areas, you will have to consider replacing. Buyers don’t want to deal with replacing carpet, and giving an allowance is generally not attractive enough. Refinish hardwood floors if scratched and if you have tile floors, replace any cracked tiles.
4. Repair leaks: Repair or replace any leaky faucets, pipes and repair water stained areas. You will have to disclose the fact there was a leak, yet for appearances you want everything to look pristine.
5. Windows and screens: wash all the windows, if broken window panes, replace. Check the screens for holes or tears if any, repair.
6. Grout: Is the grout in the bathrooms around the sinks, in the showers, kitchen or counter tops cracked or discolored. Replace it with new white grout. Small fix, big impact.
7. Interior Paint: Do the walls need to be painted. Check all the rooms and if painting is required, neutral colors work best. If there are walls in any of the rooms (or the whole room) that are painted dark colors, repaint. The dark color makes the rooms look small. Don't forget the ceilings. Base boards or door frames scuffed and scratched, please paint.
8. Kitchen: Because the kitchen is the focal point is one of the first rooms a buyer gravitates toward you want it to look its best. If the kitchen is outdated, what can you do? The condition of the cabinets, can they be painted or refaced? Depends on how old the cabinets are will help decide the best approach. Maybe just adding hardware to give a fresh look.

The appliances are they all in working order. If they are outdated, you may consider replacing. Otherwise make sure the appliances are clean, specifically the oven. Stains in sink or chips in the porcelain, repairs are in order

9. Front Door: does it need to be replaced or painted. Keep in mind, the buyer will be staring at the front entry of the home for at least 30 seconds, while the agent gets the door open. First impressions!

10. Curb Appeal: Brown spots, fertilize to bring the lawn back to life. Trim bushes, hedges and rake out any thing under the bushes. Be sure to remove all weeds. You might also consider adding some flowers to add color and fresh mulch around the shrubs and flowers.

11. Gutters and Downspouts: Clean the gutters and ensure the down spouts are clean of debris as well.

12. Driveway and walkways: Power wash any stains. The garage floor may also needs to be power washed.

The above is a list of some of the items to check. For more ideas download the list here. If you are not sure what you need to do, call a real estate agent. The goal here is to get you the most money from the sale of your home with breaking the bank.