Preparing Your Home for Sale

Preparing your home for sale can be an overwhelming task, especially when you are unsure of where to begin. Although there are many ways in which you can begin these preparations, there are a few quick fixes that I have seen in my experience, which will make a vast improvement in the overall presentation of your home.

The first thing I recommend to a seller or potential seller is to choose one theme for the home. Ask yourself, does your home have a modern flair or a country feel or is your home comprised of a combination of themes such as rustic and contemporary? Do the themes clash or is there a way to make them flow giving the home a cleaner look that will be more attractive to buyers? Choosing one theme does however provide a fresh look to any home.

After deciding on the theme of your home it’s time to create order and remove any clutter. There are many ways in which you can “get rid” of unwanted items in your home with little or no cost to you. If you do not have the time to plan for a garage sale, you may donate your items to the Salvation Army or take them to a consignment shop in the area such as Kid Junction and Me to You in Hackettstown, NJ or SoHo Flair Consignment in Chester, NJ. Another option would be to donate any items to The Community Presbyterian Church’s Annual Peach Festival in Chester NJ. If you have large items, volunteers will come pick them up at your home, just call 908.879.5091.

Once a theme has been established and you have parted with unwanted items, take note of any décor in your home that may appear outdated.  Wallpaper and wallpaper borders along with certain colors of paint and carpeting will tend to age a home. Simple and inexpensive ways you can spruce up and modernize your home is to simply add area rugs, add throw pillows to couches or chairs and update the curtains. Adding fresh coats of neutral colored paint to the walls (not white) is another way to update and brighten the rooms, making your home more appealing to buyers. Lastly, I suggest taking a walk through Home Goods or Pier 1 to see the newest accent colors and décor they are selling as these items can help modernize any room in your home.

Whether you are looking to sell your home next month or next year, it is never too early to begin preparing your home for sale. By using some of the quick fixes mentioned above you will be on the right path to getting your home market ready, but still have time to enjoy the new look! If you are interested in receiving more guidance or specific recommendations on how to better prepare your home for sale, ask your local Realtor for their professional opinion.