We know that true market value pricing and a full court press marketing approach will bring buyers to your door. Use these 7 Interior and exterior steps to make sure that your home is ready to be shown to the now buyer who may want your property.
1) Hire a Home Inspector – A third party home inspector will check your home and its' systems inside and outside. They will provide you a detailed list of needed repairs or items of concern. If you complete repairs and address all these items you will be way ahead your buyer and their home inspection team.
2) Storage, Clear the Clutter – Inspect all closets and storage areas (basement, attic, garage, crawl space, and pantry). Move to a rental storage location all items you are not using and items out of season. Move to storage all large tools that take up space. Give away items you will not ever use. Yard sale/garage sale if you have time.
3) Furniture/Decorating – Some forward thinking real estate agents can arrange to have an interior decorator or home staging company inspect your home. These people can make suggestions and help rearrange furniture in your home to show at its best. Show you some inexpensive ways to redecorate or change furniture.
4) Light Open Appearance – Remove and store all screens, clean and wash windows. Open all blinds and draperies (maybe a good time to have blinds and draperies cleaned). Paint rooms with dark bold colors a lighter more neutral shade. Clean carpets clean hardwoods and tile (clean or apply stain to grout for fresher appearance).
5) Wash/Paint Exterior – Wash siding and over hangs (remove all bugs, spiders, bees). For a clean and neat exterior appearance power-wash driveway and all walkways/patios (concrete, brick and stone). Clean out and repair the gutters and downspouts. Repaint front door, trim, and porch columns rails and beams.
6) Landscape – Cut and edge lawn. Make sure you can see house trim over grown shrubs, trees add mulch to all planter areas and add flowers for color. Remove any dead or dying plants. Areas with no grass such as under shade tree add much for better appearance.
7) Shine and Sparkle – Clean all fixtures inside of home and outside (brass, chrome, nickel, bronze, and plastic). Polish or replace front door hardware, house numbers, mailbox, light fixtures. Fixtures that have lost their finish should be replaced.
Following these steps should put your home at the top of a buyers list in your price range.
