Getting Your Home Ready to Sell Return to Articles
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So, you're ready to put your house on the market.
You've found the right real estate agent. You've documented and tracked your home improvements over the years to grow your equity and maximize your sale price.
What other things do you need to do before you let prospective buyers see your house? Below are a few items for you and your realtor to consider.
• Put on a happy face. As this blog on Realtor.com notes, "Yes, for better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover."
By making some fairly simple cosmetic upgrades – beautifying your front yard with attractive flowers and slapping a fresh coat of paint on your front door – you can significantly improve the curb appeal of your property and attract more home shoppers, the blog notes.
• Paint on the mild side. When it comes to interior paint, it's best for your home to feature conservative colors.
"Put a fresh coat of paint on white or beige walls, and repaint walls that have eccentric or unconventional colors," RE/MAX recommends . "Nature- and spa-inspired neutral colors, such as taupe and subtle gray, are the best choices."
And don't focus on just the walls:RE/MAX urges sellers to repaint the trim and molding as well as "outdated or worn cabinetry."
• Lose the personal touch. Sure, all those pictures of your wedding, vacations and children have added to your enjoyment of your house, but they're not going to help you sell it. "Buyers want to be able to envision themselves in your home, so remove anything overly personal, like family photos in the hallway or your kids’ artwork on the fridge," Trulia recommends .
• Take care of odors. Foul smells – whether the source is a cat litter box or spoiled food in the kitchen – are always a serious turnoff for home shoppers. Realtor.com recommends having a third party tour your home before you put it on the market to detect any troublesome odors that you may not notice.
As for a remedy, be prepared to do a deep cleaning "because many buyers are on to your 'masking techniques' such as candles or plug-in room deodorizers," Realtor.com notes.
• Use a little green. If you don't have them in your home already, consider putting some plants and/or flowers in some of your rooms. They can add some color and make your home more pleasing to the eye.
• Declutter. It sounds obvious, but make sure your countertops and bookshelves aren't overflowing with items. Pick up your kids' toys from your floors. Consider removing items from rooms that are crammed full with furniture.