7 Things You Must Do Before You List Your Home for Sale

I've been a Realtor since 2006 and over the years, I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to how sellers present their home during the listing appointment and for sale.  Years ago, I  met with a woman who was a hoarder.  Every room in her house was filled with "stuff".  I remember she had a huge fish tank filled with papers, books and Lord knows what else in her living room!  I couldn't believe that she actually thought she could sell her home in that condition.

At the other end of the spectrum is a home I listed earlier this year.  It was in pristine condition. . .well decorated, neat and tidy and well-maintained.  There really wasn't much that my client needed to do to prepare the home for sale.  It was under contract in 13 days and sold for full price.

Most homes are somewhere in between these two extremes.  They might need a little elbow grease, time and money to get them in showing condition, but they won't require a dumpster and guys with hazmat suits to clear out the junk and clean.

If you've been thinking about selling your home, keep reading because I'm about to share 7 "Must-Do's" with you to help you prepare to list your home for sale.

1.  De-clutter 

That ceramic cat collection or that collection of antique dolls that you love so much. . .most prospective buyers will just see a bunch of junk.  It's essential that you de-clutter and that includes putting your knickknacks and collectibles out of sight.  Whether it's sports memorabilia or animal heads from your hunting escapades hanging on the walls, they've got to go.  But beyond that, you must put away family photos, newspapers and magazines, bills and bank statements, credit cards and checkbooks, other documents containing sensitive information, prescription medications, weapons and other personal items (use your imagination here. . .LOL!).

2. Spruce Up Your Kitchen

According to Trulia, the kitchen is one of the most closely anticipated and inspected rooms for prospective buyers.  So it's important to make it as appealing as possible.  Make sure that it is spotless and smells clean.  Don't leave dishes in the sink or dish rack.  Remove unnecessary gadgets and small appliances from counter tops.  Thoroughly clean your stove top, oven, microwave and refrigerator.  Steam clean the kitchen floor to remove dirt and grime from the grout.

If it's in your budget, consider upgrading your counter tops and cabinets. If you can't afford a renovation project, a fresh coat of paint and new hardware may be just what's needed to give your cabinets and drawers a fresh, modern look.

3.  Lighten & Brighten

Homes that are dark and shadowy don't show as well as homes that are filled with natural light.  Buyers perceive homes that are dark as gloomy and depressing while they perceive homes that are light-filled as warm and welcoming.  To give your home a light, bright and airy feel, remove heavy curtains and swags and replace them with blinds or shutters.

4.  Replace Worn, Damaged & Stained Carpet

If your carpet is in pretty good shape, it might be enough to have it stretched and deep cleaned.  However, if it's worn, has holes, burns or other damage or has permanent stains, you should replace it.  Also, if it's an outdated color, you should replace it with a neutral colored carpet.

5.  Remove Wallpaper & Paint the Walls

Most buyers see wallpaper and automatically think "out-of-date" and "old-fashioned".  So, before you list your home, you should remove wallpaper and paint the walls.

If you've lived in your home for a number of years, but have never painted, it might be time to change up the interior paint. Likewise, if your walls are very bright or unusual colors, you'll want to paint.  Choose neutral colors and be sure to touch-up baseboards, crown molding, chair rails and trim.

6.  Deep Clean

Buyers respond favorably to homes that smell clean and fresh.  So it's important that you take the time to deep clean your home.

If you're an OCD neat freak, you can probably skip this step because your home is super clean already!  For everyone else, DO NOT skip this step.  You need to clean every corner, nook and cranny of your home. Dust all furniture and other surfaces, such as artwork, ceiling fans, chandeliers and light fixtures.  Be sure to clean blinds and shutters as well as windows and window sills.  Clean bathrooms, including the floors and shower walls and door.  Don't forget to clean around the toilet.  Be sure to clean closets and cabinets so that they appear neat and organized. Vacuum carpets and clean and polish hardwood and tile floors.

7.  Maximize Curb Appeal

When a buyer pulls up to your home, you want her to be wowed by how beautiful the exterior looks. So much so, she can't wait to get in to see the inside.  To maximize curb appeal, there are several things you should do:

• Pressure wash siding and, if necessary, paint;
• Clean gutters;
• Clear flower beds of weeds and put down mulch;
• Plant colorful flowers;
• Mow the lawn, trim shrubbery and cut back trees;
• Remove cobwebs and wasps nests from around doors and windows;
• Keep walkways, porches and decks clear of leaves and other debris.

Bonus

Before you list your home, you should have all deferred maintenance issues repaired.  Things that seem small and insignificant to you may turn off even the most seasoned buyers and will definitely scare away most first time home buyers.  More serious repair issues could make the difference between selling your home for top dollar versus having to sell it at a significantly lower price.

Take Aways

These steps are meant to help you prepare your home for sale, but in no way represent an exhaustive list of what can be done.  Each home is different and has been cared for differently by it's owner, so it's important for you to take an objective look at your home (i.e. view it through the eyes of a prospective buyer) and ask yourself what you'd change if you were a buyer who was considering purchasing it.  Then do those things.