Here are some of our favorite tips to help you sell your home:
1. Clean the exterior and landscape.
Check for loose or clogged gutters. Cut the lawn and trim the bushes. Make sure the garage doors open and close properly. Wipe down the lawn furniture. Fix any dangling shutters.
2. Make door (and doorbell) stand out.
Many homeowners don’t come in through the front door, but prospective buyers do. Fix cracked or peeling doorways with a fresh coat of paint and be sure the bell actually rings.
3. Evaluate every entrance.
Update interior doors or at least replace hinges and knobs.
4. Look down.
People walk in and wipe their feet. One of the first things they’ll notice is the condition of the floor. Stained carpets, raggedy rugs and scratched floors are fairly easy fixes.
5. Select the right scent.
Buyers will associate musty odors with mold damage or disrepair, so eliminate any nose agitators. Find one scent (or complementing scents) you love and use it throughout the house to avoid scent overload.
6. Spot treat any blemishes.
Walls are an excellent canvas, but they also clearly display age, dirt, indifference, even foundation issues. Fix any scuff marks, nail holes and paint cracks.
7. Have a place for everything.
Make sure anything that’s not on display – shoes, coats, papers, pots, pans – is tucked away and neatly organized. When closet space is at a premium, repurpose other areas for storage.
8. Check the tracks.
You may no longer notice that lopsided utensils drawer, but potential buyers will. New cabinetry may be out of the question, but fix bent drawer tracks and slides, replace dangling pulls and tighten screws and handles.
9. Give the appliances some shine.
Clean the oven, refrigerator, microwave, sink and any other appliance that will be included in the purchase of the home. In fact, we recommend that you clean everything. A clean and organized home is a major plus with buyers.
10. Finish with finishes.
Bathroom gut jobs can be pricey, but replacing finishing elements such as faucets, shower heads, towel racks and toilet paper holders can significantly brighten a room. New shower curtains, towels and mats also help the room look updated and clean.
For more helpful tips, be sure to check out our Helpful Tips board on Pinterest.
