Selling your home can be an emotional event. It’s not easy, but
the first step is letting go of the personal attachment and start thinking like a
buyer. Whether you plan to sell your home yourself or hire a professional, the
Preparing Your Home for Sale checklist will offer you items to help you get
organized before advertising your home for sale.
Today it seems even easier to
prepare your home for sale. Just turn on the TV to the many home shows, pick up a
home magazine or talk to professionals in your area. A friend in the real estate
field once told me, “Think like a buyer and get a selling price that’s higher!”
Obtain current comparable selling prices for homes in your area.
Locate current documents
Survey
Title Insurance Policy
Homeowner Association/Condo documents
Locate all appliance manuals and warranty information for new buyer
Locate city/county building permits from any remodel work and ensure that all
inspections are completed
Rent a temporary storage unit for clutter control and unnecessary furniture
Obtain school ratings and information
Obtain list of amenities for your area
Have available twelve months of utility bills if requested
Consider having your home inspected so any necessary repairs can be completed prior to
advertising your home for sale
View your competition
Exterior (You only have one chance for a first impression)
Analyze your curb appeal and identify inadequacies
Mow the lawn regularly
Trim all shrubbery and trees
The sidewalk to the front door should be clean, clear and in good repair
Plant annuals for color
Paint house, window trim and front door if needed
Repair fences and gates
Wash windows and sliding doors
Spruce up the front entrance with a freshly painted door, new lighting, potted annuals
for color
Replace mailbox and house numbers if needed
House numbers should be visible from the street
Complete any exterior repairs to your home
If you are using your garage as a storage unit, relocate these item offsite
Stage your exterior spaces to show additional living space
Interior
Declutter all closets, putting out of season clothing or clutter into boxes for temporary
storage unit
Remove family pictures to make potential buyers feel like it could be their home
Remove items from kitchen counter tops for the look of more counter space
Clean out refrigerator and remove all items from the front of the refrigerator
Remove area rugs from wall-to-wall carpeting
Replace or remove worn items
Paint interior in neutral colors
Remove all collectibles and knickknacks; pack into boxes for temporary storage offsite
Meticulously clean bathrooms and kitchen
Clean carpets
Dust, vacuum and mop
Clean ceiling fans and check for corner/ceiling cobwebs
Consider hiring a staging company or decorator that specializes in arranging or
providing furniture and accents for optimal display
Consider removing pets and their smells until house is under contract
Repair any damage to walls, windows, doors, flooring
Make sure all light switches operate and all light bulbs are working TURN ON THE LIGHTS FOR PRSPECTIVE BUYERS
Avoid cooking foods with strong smells while your home is on the market
