Preparing Your Home

Exterior: The condition of your home’s exterior is most important when it comes to buyer appeal.

It is always a great idea to get your home ready to sell or prepared for a showing or an open house. The curb appeal is one of the most important features as this will be the reason someone will pick up a phone and call, or the reason they look to a different home.

•    House number should be easy to read
•    Lights on timers to ensure house is lit up after sunset
•    Eaves troughs, and down spouts in good repair
•    Garage/car port clean and tidy
•    Litter picked up
•    Cracked or broken window panes replaced
•    Doorbell and door hardware in good repair
•    Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc.
•    Mow, edge and weed the lawn frequently until the home is sold
•    Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back to show as much of the exterior as possible
•    A low-cost investment in seasonal flowers or ground cover will add a personal touch
•    Inspect the roof for necessary repairs and any visible broken shingles or tiles
•    Stucco water stains can be repaired using a mild bleaching agent
•    Fences should be mended and painted
•    Wash all windows inside and outside

Interior: Warm and welcoming!

The interior of the home is the heart. The space, layout, and condition will all be determining factors for a new buyer. Can they see themselves in this home? Buyers want to know that this home has been loved, cared for, and ready for a new owner that will not have to worry about future pitfalls.

•    Lights should be on and drapes should be left open during daylight
•    Heat set at a comfortable temperature
•    Fresh flowers/plants in various rooms
•    Chipped plaster and paint touched up and repaired
•    Doors and cupboards properly closed
•    Leaky taps and toilets repaired
•    Burned out light bulbs replaced
•    Squeaky doors oiled
•    Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
•    Seals around tubs and basins in good repair
•    Floors cleaned, garbage containers emptied
•    Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
•    Valuable property, out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
•    Pets absent, where possible, or contained during showings
•    All torn screens should be repaired or replaced
•    Avoid repainting the entire house unless current colors are very loud or offbeat
•    White or light pastels are the easiest to work with and they make your rooms look larger
•    Fireplace lit in cooler weather
•    Air conditioner turned on in warm weather
•    Countertops neat and polished
•    Appliances cleaned
•    Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy

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