You need to think of your house as a marketable commodity; property; real estate. Your goal is to get others to see it as their potential home, not yours. If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property.
The first step in getting your home ready to sell is to “de-personalize” it.
You want buyers to view it as their potential home. When a potential homebuyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, not only do they stop to look at each picture to try and determine if they know you, but it also puts your brand on the home and momentarily shatters their illusions about owning the house. Therefore, put away all family photos and personal items.
The two most important tasks that a home seller can do is De-Clutter and Deep Clean. Rent a storage unit if need be and box everything up. You’ll be moving anyway so why not get the task started. It will make your home much more salable.
Make sure all closet floors are clear and hanging clothes are not crammed in too tight; that desk and dresser tops are not loaded down with “stuff”; that kitchen counter tops are also clear and that garages are also neat and orderly. If you have a pantry, make sure food is in neat rows.
In regard to the interior ceilings, walls, carpet, etc. If your interior walls have not been painted in years or if they have lots of marks, fingerprints and dirt that will just not wash off, I highly recommend that you paint the walls. A freshly painted home does wonders for the appearance. Check the ceilings for former leak stains and repaint. Have the carpets professionally cleaned before getting it on the market. If you smoke in your home, my best advice is “stop” now before you ever paint, clean or anything else. You may need to remove/clean drapes as the cigarette smoke lingers in them as well as on the walls and ceilings and gives them a yellow tint.
When a potential buyer walks in your home for their first showing, you want them to smell pleasant odors and see a clean, clean and organized home. I cannot express enough CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN. You’ll want the drapes open for showings to let the natural sun light in so that means you’ll need to make sure that all of your windows are clean.
If you keep pets in the home, whether it is cats or dogs, etc., liter boxes must be maintained on a daily basis and odor control monitored also daily. Potential buyers do not want to smell animal when they walk in a home for a showing.
The exterior of your home is very important. Give it good curb appeal. If the color is faded and peeling, you may want too repaint. Be sure to check for dry rot around windows and doors and replace/repair as needed before painting. If the roof is missing shingles you may have leaks. Replace/repair shingles as needed and check inside for the leak stains.
Landscaping is also a very important aspect of selling. Good curb appeal is a plus. Replant flowers (seasonal of course) and bushes. Add new mulch to flower beds; keep lawn mowed and watered, also bushes trimmed and flowers watered so they stay green through the selling process. If you don’t want to plant new, then at least get 3 or 4 potted flowering plants to set around in your flower bed.
My initial staging consultation will consist of going through every room to visually move/replace/remove furniture, relocate knick knacks or wall hangings. This is a team effort on yours and my part. As a seller, you have personal items that need to be handled by you alone and I understand that emotion. I will return to your home periodically to consult/help in the staging process.