Are you ready to sell?
It is safe to say that spring, after a very tough winter, has sprung! Trees and flowers are blooming. It is also prime time for selling your home. Buyers are out shopping. Are you ready?
Every seller wants their home to sell as quickly and painlessly as possible, and of course, at the best price.
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Below are 11 easy steps to help prepare you for showings.
1. Look at you home as a product
Find out what's happening in Long Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Your home may have given you many of memories, but try to make a mental decision to let go of emotions and focus on goal of handing over the keys.
Say goodbye to every room as you look towards the future, next destination and next chapter in your life
2. De-Personalize
Once you get thru step 1 this will be easier to do.
Pack up personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers want to be able to visualize themselves living in the house and imagining their family pictures on the walls.
Seeing yours can only distract them
3. De-Clutter!
Remember when presenting your home, less is best when it comes to “stuff” in the house
If you haven’t used it in a year, why not donate, sell or throw away.
Pack up all knickknacks.
Remove books from bookcase
Clean everything off kitchen counters
Store essential items used daily in a box that can be put in closet when not in use
4 . Rearrange Kitchen Cabinets and Closets
Buyers will be opening closets and cabinets. Make sure nothing falls out!
Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
Line up shoes.
Nobody really lives like that all the time, but everybody would like to. This helps present the idea that this kind of life comes with the house.
5. Rent a storage Unit
Homes show better with less furniture (the less is more rule). Rooms will look larger, and what's more, the flow of traffic will be better. Leave just enough furniture so buyers can figure what the room’s purpose can be and also give it a warm homey feel.
6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items
If you love that chandelier your aunt gave you, remove it now and replace it with another. If a buyer never sees it, they won’t it and try to include in sale of house.
7. Make Minor Repairs
Patch holes in walls
Fix leaky faucets
Fix doors that don’t close right and kitchen drawers that jam.
Paint your walls a neutral color if needed
8 . Make the House Shine
Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to do an in- depth cleaning
Wash windows inside and out
Pressure wash the house and deck
Make sure there are no cob webs visible
Polish faucets and mirrors
Clean out the refrigerator
Wax or polish floors
Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
Replace worn rugs.
Hang up fresh towels.
Air out any musty or undesirable smells
9. Scrutinize
Look at every room in your house thru the eyes of a buyer, or better yet, with the help of a staging professional & realtor. There may be things you don't see anymore because you've seen them everyday.
Fresh eyes always help.
Does it look appealing and inviting?
If it almost looks like a model home, great job!
10. Curb Appeals
Make sure the buyer wants to get out of the car to look
Keep sidewalks cleared.
Mow the lawn.
Plant flowers and hang flowering baskets.
Trim your bushes.
Make sure visitors see you house number.
11. Hire a Local Reatltor
Grace Stampf
Re/Max Heritage Properties
293 Route 206
Flanders, NJ
office: 973-598-1700
Fax: 973-598-1717
Cell/Text: 917-716-4813
NJAR Circle of Excellence Award winner
