10 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

Consider these 10 tips when preparing your property for sale so that your home will appeal to more buyers and hopefully sell in the shortest amount of time possible:

1. Declutter – One of the most important steps in preparing for your home to sell is to minimize the clutter. If you have a lot of clutter, do this step first. Put away piles of bills and mail, shoes by the door, books & knickknacks from the bookcases, and toys from playrooms. Tidy and pack up closets and kitchen cabinets. You want the buyer to admire the spaces in your home, not to be distracted by the messes.

2. Depersonalize – Depersonalizing your home is also extremely important because it can prevent buyers from getting distracted by your belongings and personal taste, and allow them to envision themselves living in the home. You’ll want to make sure to pack up the following – or at least have it put away for showings:

• Personal photos
• Certificates and awards
• Collections
• Religious decor or artifacts
• Toiletry items – toothbrushes, bars of soap, medications, bathrobes, makeup, etc.

3. Clean – Once the home has been decluttered, it’s time to clean, clean, clean! If the home hasn’t had a good deep cleaning, hire professional cleaners. It will be easier for you to keep up with the cleanings prior to showings once the home has had a good base clean. If you have carpets, make sure they get shampooed.

4. Offensive Odors – Every home has a scent to it, and most of us are immune to the scent in our own house. Your home undoubtedly has a scent if you cook with a lot of spices, if you have any pets, if a smoker has lived (or currently lives) in the home, or if you have old carpets. You might have a mold and mildew smell in the bathrooms. Consult with your Realtor about the scent of your home and their thoughts for improvements for showings.

5. Paint Colors – The red wall might look great with your décor, but it just isn’t for everyone. If you have large walls with bold colors, it’s best to paint them to a standard beige.

6. Wallpaper – If your home has wallpaper older than 10 years old, consider removing it (not painting over) because it could probably appear dated.

7. Let Light Shine In – Make sure to open your blinds and drapes before showings. Allowing as much light in as possible is key! Sometimes cleaning the windows will also make your home feel exponentially brighter.

8. Complete the Honey-Do List – Need to fix a leaky shower head? Replace a broken tile? Remove a busted fence? Paint the garage floor? Do all the little items on your to-do list prior to listing your home. A buyer will have more confidence in a home without a lot of deferred maintenance.

9. Boost Curb Appeal – Make sure to keep the lawn mowed, leaves raked, gardens and walkways weeded, sideway cleared, and bushes trimmed. Paint window trim, plant some bright flowers, and be sure to pick up any trash or debris that might have dropped or blown on your property.

10. Feng Shui – A little Feng Shui can go a long way. Don’t position the backs of furniture to face entry ways, place toilet seats down, and don’t block windows with big furniture like beds or dressers.

If you are interested in selling or would like advice from an agent on our team, complete a form on our website or just send your info in via email.

Conroy & Company is a Keller Williams Vermont team of Realtors located in South Burlington, Vermont. Our mission is to serve our clients with the highest level of personal commitment to helping them reach their goals. Our focus is to bring the latest technology and marketing skills to our clients, and do so in the most personal, hands on way possible. Our collaborative, strength in numbers approach to exceeding your expectations, has helped keep us in the top 2% of Vermont agents/teams ever since 2003. Questions? Contact Mike Conroy – [email protected] or 802-363-3356