First Impressions: Prepare Your Home for Sale

First impressions stay with a buyer. When you are planning to sell your home, there are some things you can do to make that first impression last with the consumer.

Spruce up the exterior

You should make the exterior look good to impress your buyer. Curb appeal is important. Your buyer gets the first impression of your home when they walk up to your door. If your yard is littered with toys, junk, or a lot of unattractive statues, they will be turned off before they get to the door. The front entry should be inviting.

• Cut the grass, prune your trees and shrubs, and remove dead leaves and blooms from plants.
• Clean the windows and your door. If the paint is peeling on your door, paint it.
• Put everything away that is not needed in your yard.
• Paint and/or repair your fence, if you have one.
• Make sure the walkway to your front door is safe.

Spruce up the interior

When a potential buyer enters your home, the first impression really counts. A buyer wants to be able to see their things in your home. They want to visualize how their furniture will fit and they do not want to have to make a lot of changes to accommodate their lifestyle.

• Clean your floors. Make sure you remove any spills or caked on dirt.
• Run the dust mop around the ceiling and in the corners to get rid of spider webs.
• Clean your carpets.
• Arrange your furniture so that there is room to walk between items. Put away all unnecessary items.
• Tidy up the closets. Hang clothes and remove items from the floor. Have everything in its place.
• Clean the garage, basement, and attic.
• Clean your windows and the casing around them.
• Bathe your pets. If you are having an open house, see if you can leave them with a neighbor or friend.
• Bake cookies to give your home a pleasant aroma.

Repair and/or replace broken items

• You may need to repair or replace items in your home. Check for:
• Broken or missing doors on closets and cabinets
• Broken or missing handles on cabinets and doors
• Cracks on walls and ceilings
• Broken tiles in bathrooms and kitchens
• Faucets that do not work
• Peeling wallpaper
• Broken furniture

When you have cleaned, repaired, and inspected your home, you may want to get a second opinion from a friend or family member. If you are selling your home through a real estate agent/broker, you may want to ask for their opinion. They may also make some other suggestions as to how you can stage your home for a good sale. When a person comes to visit your open house, they need to feel they could live there.