101 Ways to Prepare Your Home to Sell
If you are preparing to put your house on the market or are considering selling your home in the near future, now is the time to determine what you can do to help ensure your home is ready and that it will make a great first impression.
This guide to preparing your house to sell will walk you through the process of seeking out needed repairs, increasing curb appeal and making sure your home is ready to show to potential buyers on a moment’s notice.
Let’s begin with a few simple questions that will help you evaluate the current state of your home:
1. If you were shopping for a home today and your real estate agent showed you your home, would you want to buy it?
2. Are you proud to show your home off to family members, friends and other guests?
3. When buyers see your home, will it give off a first impression that you would want them to remember?
4. Does your home stand out from other houses for sale in your neighborhood?
5. Does your house feel like a home that a new owner could move into and make their own?
If you can answer yes to each of these questions, you are well on your way to being ready to market your home to buyers. But even if you answered no to one or more of them, this guide will help you get on the right track for home-selling success and better position you to get the best possible price in the shortest time.
Read on for 101 ways to prepare your house to sell…
Let’s begin with the all-important topic of curb appeal. When potential buyers come to your house, the exterior of your home and your front yard are the first things they will see. This critical moment is when your potential buyers will form first impressions of your home, which is what they will remember most when thinking back on all of the homes they viewed that day.
This guide to preparing your house to sell will walk you through the process of seeking out needed repairs, increasing curb appeal and making sure your home is ready to show to potential buyers on a moment’s notice.
Let’s begin with a few simple questions that will help you evaluate the current state of your home:
1. If you were shopping for a home today and your real estate agent showed you your home, would you want to buy it?
2. Are you proud to show your home off to family members, friends and other guests?
3. When buyers see your home, will it give off a first impression that you would want them to remember?
4. Does your home stand out from other houses for sale in your neighborhood?
5. Does your house feel like a home that a new owner could move into and make their own?
If you can answer yes to each of these questions, you are well on your way to being ready to market your home to buyers. But even if you answered no to one or more of them, this guide will help you get on the right track for home-selling success and better position you to get the best possible price in the shortest time.
Read on for 101 ways to prepare your house to sell…
Let’s begin with the all-important topic of curb appeal. When potential buyers come to your house, the exterior of your home and your front yard are the first things they will see. This critical moment is when your potential buyers will form first impressions of your home, which is what they will remember most when thinking back on all of the homes they viewed that day.
20 Ways to Enhance Curb Appeal
1. Make sure your mailbox is free of rust, on a straight post and in good repair. A simple coat of spray paint in a color that matches or complements the colors of your home is a quick, affordable fix.
2. If your home has a sidewalk easement (a strip of land between the sidewalk and the street), make sure it is free of debris and weeds. You may want to replace dying grass with decorative gravel or a flowerbed to instantly increase curb appeal.
3. Mow your front lawn regularly to make sure it always looks its best when potential buyers arrive.
4. Trim low-hanging tree branches or overgrown shrubs that may be blocking the view of your home or walkways.
5. Keep all flowerbeds, walkways and other areas free of weeds.
6. Prune bushes that are blocking windows or landscape features.
7. Make sure your home is easy to find with an easy-to-see address plaque or house numbers prominently displayed on your porch or mailbox.
8. Rake leaves, prune rose bushes and keep all areas free of yard debris and clutter.
9. Limit the number of personal decorations you have in your yard, including lawn ornaments, garden gnomes, statuary and birdhouses. This will help reduce clutter, give you less to pack after the sale, and allow your buyer to more easily imagine themselves living there with their yard ornaments.
10. If you have water features, make sure they are clean and working properly.
11. If you have a wood pile, it is best to move it to an out-of-the-way place in the backyard, but if it must stay in the front yard, pile it as nicely as possible.
12. Clear the clutter from your front porch, and create an inviting entryway to welcome potential buyers. If you have enough space, create a seating area to accentuate your home’s outdoor living spaces.
13. Replace the light bulbs in your porch light and other exterior lights to make sure walkways and your entryway are well lit for buyers who view your home in the evening.
14. Check your fences and gates to make sure latches are working properly, hinges are secure, and the paint or stain still looks good.
15. Consider lining your driveway and walkways with solar landscape lights that will lead the way to your front door. Solar landscape lighting can also be used to accentuate interesting features in your yard.
16. If you have a concrete walkway, porch or driveway, fill the cracks to improve its appearance. If your hardscape features are made from bricks or paving stones, keep the spaces between the stones free of weeds.
17. If you have a gravel driveway, guest parking area or other gravel areas in your yard, consider adding a new layer of gravel to refresh the look and fill in bare spots.
18. People like symmetry, so create some in your front yard or on your porch by arranging your lighting, flowerpots or other accents symmetrically on each side or your door, driveway or walkway.
19. Refresh flowerbeds with brightly colored blooms and new greenery, or spruce up your flowerbeds with native plants that thrive in your area with lower maintenance and water requirements.
20. If your budget allows, consider adding a focal point to your front yard landscaping, such as a fountain, rock garden or edged borders with flowerbeds.
1. Make sure your mailbox is free of rust, on a straight post and in good repair. A simple coat of spray paint in a color that matches or complements the colors of your home is a quick, affordable fix.
2. If your home has a sidewalk easement (a strip of land between the sidewalk and the street), make sure it is free of debris and weeds. You may want to replace dying grass with decorative gravel or a flowerbed to instantly increase curb appeal.
3. Mow your front lawn regularly to make sure it always looks its best when potential buyers arrive.
4. Trim low-hanging tree branches or overgrown shrubs that may be blocking the view of your home or walkways.
5. Keep all flowerbeds, walkways and other areas free of weeds.
6. Prune bushes that are blocking windows or landscape features.
7. Make sure your home is easy to find with an easy-to-see address plaque or house numbers prominently displayed on your porch or mailbox.
8. Rake leaves, prune rose bushes and keep all areas free of yard debris and clutter.
9. Limit the number of personal decorations you have in your yard, including lawn ornaments, garden gnomes, statuary and birdhouses. This will help reduce clutter, give you less to pack after the sale, and allow your buyer to more easily imagine themselves living there with their yard ornaments.
10. If you have water features, make sure they are clean and working properly.
11. If you have a wood pile, it is best to move it to an out-of-the-way place in the backyard, but if it must stay in the front yard, pile it as nicely as possible.
12. Clear the clutter from your front porch, and create an inviting entryway to welcome potential buyers. If you have enough space, create a seating area to accentuate your home’s outdoor living spaces.
13. Replace the light bulbs in your porch light and other exterior lights to make sure walkways and your entryway are well lit for buyers who view your home in the evening.
14. Check your fences and gates to make sure latches are working properly, hinges are secure, and the paint or stain still looks good.
15. Consider lining your driveway and walkways with solar landscape lights that will lead the way to your front door. Solar landscape lighting can also be used to accentuate interesting features in your yard.
16. If you have a concrete walkway, porch or driveway, fill the cracks to improve its appearance. If your hardscape features are made from bricks or paving stones, keep the spaces between the stones free of weeds.
17. If you have a gravel driveway, guest parking area or other gravel areas in your yard, consider adding a new layer of gravel to refresh the look and fill in bare spots.
18. People like symmetry, so create some in your front yard or on your porch by arranging your lighting, flowerpots or other accents symmetrically on each side or your door, driveway or walkway.
19. Refresh flowerbeds with brightly colored blooms and new greenery, or spruce up your flowerbeds with native plants that thrive in your area with lower maintenance and water requirements.
20. If your budget allows, consider adding a focal point to your front yard landscaping, such as a fountain, rock garden or edged borders with flowerbeds.
10 Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Façade
Once you have your driveway, walkways and front yard ready to show to buyers, it is time to make sure the exterior of your home is dressed to impress.
Here are 10 ways you can enhance the front of your home to entice potential buyers inside:
1. Clean your gutters, and make any necessary repairs.
2. Remove, repair or replace broken siding, shutters or ornamentation on your home’s exterior.
3. Clean your windows and window screens.
4. Make sure your window screens and screen doors are not snagging or torn.
5. Check for peeling or faded paint on doors, trim, porch railings and exterior walls. If it is in your budget, consider significantly enhancing the look of your home by repainting it. If a complete exterior paint job is not in your budget, rinse off or power wash the exterior of your home and consider painting just the trim.
6. Paint your front door a welcoming hue that contrasts with your home’s primary colors in a visually pleasing way.
7. Replace worn or outdated hardware and fixtures, such as your front door lockset, doorbell, house numbers and porch light.
8. Add color without adding clutter by hanging a wreath on the front door or adding one or two containers of flowers to your front porch décor.
9. If you have outdoor furniture on your porch, make sure the cushions are clean and the furniture is rust-free and in working order.
10. If the front of your home is a bit lackluster, consider installing window boxes planted with colorful flowers.
Once you have your driveway, walkways and front yard ready to show to buyers, it is time to make sure the exterior of your home is dressed to impress.
Here are 10 ways you can enhance the front of your home to entice potential buyers inside:
1. Clean your gutters, and make any necessary repairs.
2. Remove, repair or replace broken siding, shutters or ornamentation on your home’s exterior.
3. Clean your windows and window screens.
4. Make sure your window screens and screen doors are not snagging or torn.
5. Check for peeling or faded paint on doors, trim, porch railings and exterior walls. If it is in your budget, consider significantly enhancing the look of your home by repainting it. If a complete exterior paint job is not in your budget, rinse off or power wash the exterior of your home and consider painting just the trim.
6. Paint your front door a welcoming hue that contrasts with your home’s primary colors in a visually pleasing way.
7. Replace worn or outdated hardware and fixtures, such as your front door lockset, doorbell, house numbers and porch light.
8. Add color without adding clutter by hanging a wreath on the front door or adding one or two containers of flowers to your front porch décor.
9. If you have outdoor furniture on your porch, make sure the cushions are clean and the furniture is rust-free and in working order.
10. If the front of your home is a bit lackluster, consider installing window boxes planted with colorful flowers.
10 Simple Tips for Preparing Your Backyard for Buyers
Before we move to the interior of your home, let’s first take a look at the backyard and 10 easy ways you can get ready to show it off to potential buyers.
1. Just like in your front yard, keep your back lawn mowed and free of weeds. You may need to reseed some areas to cover bare patches or make your lawn look full and lush.
2. Reduce clutter by removing all unnecessary items, such as pool toys, sports equipment, dog or children’s toys, yard maintenance tools and gardening supplies.
3. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, clean it regularly to keep it free of leaves and debris.
4. Clean up after your pets every day to make sure your yard is free of pet waste when buyers arrive to view your home.
5. Clean your outdoor kitchen or grill, and make sure it is free of rust and clutter.
6. Spray down outbuildings, and repaint them, if necessary.
7. If you have a rope swing, tire swing or porch swing, make sure it is in good repair. Buyers or their children are likely to try it out.
8. Trim your trees and shrubs, prune rosebushes and other plants, and cover bare patches of dirt with decorative gravel, bark or wood chips.
9. Make sure all landscape lighting, pool lights and patio lighting are in working order and updated. Consider replacing outdated or broken lighting to enhance the look of your yard and create a welcoming atmosphere. If your walkways are not currently lit, consider lining them with inexpensive solar-powered lights that will give off an inviting glow.
10. Keep patios, decks and walkways swept and free of debris and leaves.
Before we move to the interior of your home, let’s first take a look at the backyard and 10 easy ways you can get ready to show it off to potential buyers.
1. Just like in your front yard, keep your back lawn mowed and free of weeds. You may need to reseed some areas to cover bare patches or make your lawn look full and lush.
2. Reduce clutter by removing all unnecessary items, such as pool toys, sports equipment, dog or children’s toys, yard maintenance tools and gardening supplies.
3. If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, clean it regularly to keep it free of leaves and debris.
4. Clean up after your pets every day to make sure your yard is free of pet waste when buyers arrive to view your home.
5. Clean your outdoor kitchen or grill, and make sure it is free of rust and clutter.
6. Spray down outbuildings, and repaint them, if necessary.
7. If you have a rope swing, tire swing or porch swing, make sure it is in good repair. Buyers or their children are likely to try it out.
8. Trim your trees and shrubs, prune rosebushes and other plants, and cover bare patches of dirt with decorative gravel, bark or wood chips.
9. Make sure all landscape lighting, pool lights and patio lighting are in working order and updated. Consider replacing outdated or broken lighting to enhance the look of your yard and create a welcoming atmosphere. If your walkways are not currently lit, consider lining them with inexpensive solar-powered lights that will give off an inviting glow.
10. Keep patios, decks and walkways swept and free of debris and leaves.
10 General Tips for Preparing the Interior of Your Home
We will go room by room to make sure your home is ready to show potential buyers, but first let’s go over some general guidelines for preparing your home to sell.
1. Clearing clutter is imperative to the successful selling of your home. You must remove as much clutter as possible to create rooms that invite your buyers inside and allow them to see themselves living there. You will be moving once your home sells, so this is a great time to start packing belongings you can live without while your home is on the market.
2. You can make any room in your home look larger by removing unnecessary furniture, such as plant stands, end tables and extra chairs. You also want your rooms to be easy to navigate, so remove any unnecessary pieces that are blocking the flow of traffic through the room.
3. Clean out your closets and cabinets, and neatly arrange what you leave in them. This will make your storage spaces appear more spacious.
4. If you have pets, you need to find an out-of-the-way place where they will be comfortable and out of sight when buyers are viewing your home. Pet areas need to be cleaned every day, and litter boxes should be kept out of sight, cleaned regularly and checked just before each showing to make sure they are free of pet waste that may cause smells. You will also need to pay close attention to pet hair on carpets, couches and other textiles if you have a pet that sheds.
5. If you smoke inside or have indoor pets, you will need to remove and cover the related smells as much as possible. Smoke outside while your home is on the market, and clean up after your pets as often as possible. You may want to strategically place scented candles, potpourri or scented wax burners in areas that are most likely to have odors. Just make sure you choose light, pleasant scents that will not be overpowering or offensive to those viewing your home.
6. Clean all of the light fixtures in your home, and make sure all of the light bulbs are working. A bright, well-lit home is more appealing to buyers.
7. Putty nail holes, scrub the baseboards and wash your walls to remove fingerprints and smudges. If that is not enough to make your walls look clean, you may need to repaint. Painting is an inexpensive, simple way to brighten your home’s interior and gives it a fresh, new look, so you might want to consider painting your home even if the walls are not covered with scuffs and smudges. Make sure you choose neutral colors that will appeal to a wide range of people.
8. You want buyers to look at your home and think of it as move-in ready. In order to achieve this, every room in your home needs to look spotless. If you thoroughly clean your home before putting it on the market, you can minimize the daily upkeep that will be required to keep it looking as though a professional cleaning service just left before the buyers arrived.
9. You also want buyers to see themselves living there and to be able to imagine how their belongings will fit and look in your home. To achieve this, it is best to de-personalize your living spaces by taking this opportunity to pack some of your family photos and personal belongings for the move into your new home. It is okay to have a few family pictures around the house, but now might be a good time to pack that shot glass collection from college or all those stuffed animals you’ve had since you were a kid. You should also consider removing things that may be dangerous, offensive or off-putting to potential buyers, such as firearms, other weapons and political memorabilia.
10. Take a good look at your flooring to determine if it is in need of professional cleaning, repair or replacement. A worn carpet can make an otherwise attractive home look unkempt or outdated. Avoid your buyers asking for a credit to install new flooring by making sure your current flooring looks great or finding an affordable replacement, which may even increase your home’s selling price.
We will go room by room to make sure your home is ready to show potential buyers, but first let’s go over some general guidelines for preparing your home to sell.
1. Clearing clutter is imperative to the successful selling of your home. You must remove as much clutter as possible to create rooms that invite your buyers inside and allow them to see themselves living there. You will be moving once your home sells, so this is a great time to start packing belongings you can live without while your home is on the market.
2. You can make any room in your home look larger by removing unnecessary furniture, such as plant stands, end tables and extra chairs. You also want your rooms to be easy to navigate, so remove any unnecessary pieces that are blocking the flow of traffic through the room.
3. Clean out your closets and cabinets, and neatly arrange what you leave in them. This will make your storage spaces appear more spacious.
4. If you have pets, you need to find an out-of-the-way place where they will be comfortable and out of sight when buyers are viewing your home. Pet areas need to be cleaned every day, and litter boxes should be kept out of sight, cleaned regularly and checked just before each showing to make sure they are free of pet waste that may cause smells. You will also need to pay close attention to pet hair on carpets, couches and other textiles if you have a pet that sheds.
5. If you smoke inside or have indoor pets, you will need to remove and cover the related smells as much as possible. Smoke outside while your home is on the market, and clean up after your pets as often as possible. You may want to strategically place scented candles, potpourri or scented wax burners in areas that are most likely to have odors. Just make sure you choose light, pleasant scents that will not be overpowering or offensive to those viewing your home.
6. Clean all of the light fixtures in your home, and make sure all of the light bulbs are working. A bright, well-lit home is more appealing to buyers.
7. Putty nail holes, scrub the baseboards and wash your walls to remove fingerprints and smudges. If that is not enough to make your walls look clean, you may need to repaint. Painting is an inexpensive, simple way to brighten your home’s interior and gives it a fresh, new look, so you might want to consider painting your home even if the walls are not covered with scuffs and smudges. Make sure you choose neutral colors that will appeal to a wide range of people.
8. You want buyers to look at your home and think of it as move-in ready. In order to achieve this, every room in your home needs to look spotless. If you thoroughly clean your home before putting it on the market, you can minimize the daily upkeep that will be required to keep it looking as though a professional cleaning service just left before the buyers arrived.
9. You also want buyers to see themselves living there and to be able to imagine how their belongings will fit and look in your home. To achieve this, it is best to de-personalize your living spaces by taking this opportunity to pack some of your family photos and personal belongings for the move into your new home. It is okay to have a few family pictures around the house, but now might be a good time to pack that shot glass collection from college or all those stuffed animals you’ve had since you were a kid. You should also consider removing things that may be dangerous, offensive or off-putting to potential buyers, such as firearms, other weapons and political memorabilia.
10. Take a good look at your flooring to determine if it is in need of professional cleaning, repair or replacement. A worn carpet can make an otherwise attractive home look unkempt or outdated. Avoid your buyers asking for a credit to install new flooring by making sure your current flooring looks great or finding an affordable replacement, which may even increase your home’s selling price.
A Room-by-Room Guide for Preparing Your Home to Sell
Follow these 51 tips for preparing every room…
Entryways or Foyers
1. Clean out your coat closet to make it look larger.
2. Remove clutter, including purses, shoes and anything else that tends to be left in the entry.
3. Minimize furnishings in this area to make it look more spacious and inviting.
4. If you have a table in your foyer, place a vase of fresh flowers on it before buyers arrive.
5. If you have a fantastic floor, show it off by removing rugs and giving it a good cleaning. If you have a lackluster floor, cover it with an attractive area rug.
6. If you have a staircase leading to the second floor from this area, make sure the steps are free of clutter, and polish any wood or metal banisters or railings.
Living Rooms, Family Rooms and Dens
7. Clean area rugs and carpets.
8. Keep your fireplace clean and stocked with fresh logs waiting to be lit.
9. Keep only a few pictures or knickknacks on the mantel to avoid a cluttered look.
10. A small amount of wood can be stored neatly in a decorative container, but most of your firewood should be stored outside.
11. Polish your fireplace tools and screen.
12. Keep newspapers, magazines and coffee table books to a minimum.
13. To make the room look more open, comfortable and inviting, remove any unnecessary furniture.
14. If you have built-in bookshelves or cabinetry, remove clutter from the shelves and furniture that may be blocking the view of these attractive features.
Follow these 51 tips for preparing every room…
Entryways or Foyers
1. Clean out your coat closet to make it look larger.
2. Remove clutter, including purses, shoes and anything else that tends to be left in the entry.
3. Minimize furnishings in this area to make it look more spacious and inviting.
4. If you have a table in your foyer, place a vase of fresh flowers on it before buyers arrive.
5. If you have a fantastic floor, show it off by removing rugs and giving it a good cleaning. If you have a lackluster floor, cover it with an attractive area rug.
6. If you have a staircase leading to the second floor from this area, make sure the steps are free of clutter, and polish any wood or metal banisters or railings.
Living Rooms, Family Rooms and Dens
7. Clean area rugs and carpets.
8. Keep your fireplace clean and stocked with fresh logs waiting to be lit.
9. Keep only a few pictures or knickknacks on the mantel to avoid a cluttered look.
10. A small amount of wood can be stored neatly in a decorative container, but most of your firewood should be stored outside.
11. Polish your fireplace tools and screen.
12. Keep newspapers, magazines and coffee table books to a minimum.
13. To make the room look more open, comfortable and inviting, remove any unnecessary furniture.
14. If you have built-in bookshelves or cabinetry, remove clutter from the shelves and furniture that may be blocking the view of these attractive features.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home and must give off a first impression of cleanliness, functionality and convenience.
15. Clear clutter from counters to show off the amount of workspace in your kitchen. It is okay to leave an attractive set of canisters or one or two decorative pieces on the counter, but your coffee pot, breadbox, blender and other items should be placed inside cabinets or your pantry.
16. If you have a pantry, organize the shelves and remove unnecessary items to make the space look bigger.
17. If possible, it is best to place your garbage can inside a cabinet to help avoid unwanted sights and smells.
18. Deodorize your garbage disposal by regularly cutting a lemon in half and running it through the disposal.
19. Avoid using cleaners that give off strong odors, such as ammonia or bleach, immediately before potential buyers arrive.
20. Make sure your stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator are spotless inside and out.
21. Consider replacing worn or outdated cabinet and drawer hardware with updated options.
22. If you have natural stone counter tops, a convection oven or other features that appeal to buyers, make sure they can be easily seen when your real estate agent shows your home.
23. Make sure appliances that are staying with your home are working properly.
24. When you clean your sinks, make sure to also clean the drains and sink strainers.
25. Make sure your kitchen floor is clean and waxed or polished.
Dining Room
26. Check for crumbs under the table, on chairs and near the baseboards.
27. Remove clutter from built-ins to show them off.
28. If you do not regularly use your dining room table – and you have attractive tableware – leave the table set for a dinner party to help the buyers imagine entertaining there.
29. Something as simple as changing out an older light fixture can change the look of your dining room. If you have an older fixture hanging over your table, consider replacing it.
The kitchen is the heart of the home and must give off a first impression of cleanliness, functionality and convenience.
15. Clear clutter from counters to show off the amount of workspace in your kitchen. It is okay to leave an attractive set of canisters or one or two decorative pieces on the counter, but your coffee pot, breadbox, blender and other items should be placed inside cabinets or your pantry.
16. If you have a pantry, organize the shelves and remove unnecessary items to make the space look bigger.
17. If possible, it is best to place your garbage can inside a cabinet to help avoid unwanted sights and smells.
18. Deodorize your garbage disposal by regularly cutting a lemon in half and running it through the disposal.
19. Avoid using cleaners that give off strong odors, such as ammonia or bleach, immediately before potential buyers arrive.
20. Make sure your stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator are spotless inside and out.
21. Consider replacing worn or outdated cabinet and drawer hardware with updated options.
22. If you have natural stone counter tops, a convection oven or other features that appeal to buyers, make sure they can be easily seen when your real estate agent shows your home.
23. Make sure appliances that are staying with your home are working properly.
24. When you clean your sinks, make sure to also clean the drains and sink strainers.
25. Make sure your kitchen floor is clean and waxed or polished.
Dining Room
26. Check for crumbs under the table, on chairs and near the baseboards.
27. Remove clutter from built-ins to show them off.
28. If you do not regularly use your dining room table – and you have attractive tableware – leave the table set for a dinner party to help the buyers imagine entertaining there.
29. Something as simple as changing out an older light fixture can change the look of your dining room. If you have an older fixture hanging over your table, consider replacing it.
Laundry Room
30. Remove laundry supplies from the top of your washing machine or counter, and neatly organize them on a shelf or in a cabinet.
31. If you have a laundry basket or bin in your laundry room, it needs to have a lid on it so that potential buyers do not see your dirty laundry.
32. If your laundry room doubles as a mud room or storage area, remove as much clutter as possible and store it in a closet or the garage.
Bathrooms
33. Complete any necessary repairs, such as leaking faucets, noisy toilets, and missing or dirty caulk.
34. Organize the contents of your medicine cabinets and vanity, and remove any unnecessary items.
35. If you have to deal with stubborn soap scum on your shower doors, try dryer sheets to remove it.
36. Consider replacing older towel bars, bath tissue holders and other fixtures that may need updating.
37. Invest in an attractive set of towels in a color that complements your bathroom décor.
38. Place all shampoos, conditioners, body washes and other bathing implements in a basket that you can store under the sink and take out only when needed.
39. Make sure the wall opposite the mirror is not covered with shiny spots from hairstyling products.
40. If you have a shower or bath tub insert that has seen better days, refinish it with an inexpensive, DIY refinishing kit available at home improvement stores. If your budget allows, you can also have it professionally refinished.
30. Remove laundry supplies from the top of your washing machine or counter, and neatly organize them on a shelf or in a cabinet.
31. If you have a laundry basket or bin in your laundry room, it needs to have a lid on it so that potential buyers do not see your dirty laundry.
32. If your laundry room doubles as a mud room or storage area, remove as much clutter as possible and store it in a closet or the garage.
Bathrooms
33. Complete any necessary repairs, such as leaking faucets, noisy toilets, and missing or dirty caulk.
34. Organize the contents of your medicine cabinets and vanity, and remove any unnecessary items.
35. If you have to deal with stubborn soap scum on your shower doors, try dryer sheets to remove it.
36. Consider replacing older towel bars, bath tissue holders and other fixtures that may need updating.
37. Invest in an attractive set of towels in a color that complements your bathroom décor.
38. Place all shampoos, conditioners, body washes and other bathing implements in a basket that you can store under the sink and take out only when needed.
39. Make sure the wall opposite the mirror is not covered with shiny spots from hairstyling products.
40. If you have a shower or bath tub insert that has seen better days, refinish it with an inexpensive, DIY refinishing kit available at home improvement stores. If your budget allows, you can also have it professionally refinished.
Bedrooms
41. Always make the beds so you are prepared if buyers want to see your house on short notice.
42. Laundry baskets should have a lid and should be kept in a closet or in the laundry room.
43. Remove any unnecessary furniture to make the rooms appear more spacious.
44. Remove clutter from dressers and nightstands, including jewelry, books and personal items.
45. Potential buyers will look in your closet, so make sure it is well organized and that the floor is not cluttered.
46. If you have pet beds in your bedroom, store them under your bed or out of sight when not in use.
Office
47. If you work from home or use your home office daily, it might be difficult to keep it looking tidy, but a cluttered desk and overflowing file drawers will distract the buyer. Remove as much clutter and paperwork as possible from all workspaces.
48. Remove all unnecessary furniture and business-related machines that you do not use regularly.
Garage
49. Clear cobwebs and sweep the floor. If your garage floor has oil stains, try absorbing the oil with cat litter and scrubbing the stains with a degreaser to remove them.
50. The garage is usually where we hide all of the clutter we remove from the house so that it will show better, but buyers also like great garages, so our clutter-busting cannot stop here. Invest in storage shelves or cabinets, and neatly organize your belongings to show just how much storage space your garage offers.
51. If you use your garage as a space for hobbies or work, organize your tools and supplies, and move as much as possible out of sight in cabinets or drawers.
If you would like more suggestions on how best to prepare your home for a successful sale, ask your real estate agent to walk through your home with you and make recommendations. Realtors see homes for sale all the time and are privy to what buyers say and look for when they are viewing a home, so they will be able to make recommendations based on their experience and the specifics of your home.
41. Always make the beds so you are prepared if buyers want to see your house on short notice.
42. Laundry baskets should have a lid and should be kept in a closet or in the laundry room.
43. Remove any unnecessary furniture to make the rooms appear more spacious.
44. Remove clutter from dressers and nightstands, including jewelry, books and personal items.
45. Potential buyers will look in your closet, so make sure it is well organized and that the floor is not cluttered.
46. If you have pet beds in your bedroom, store them under your bed or out of sight when not in use.
Office
47. If you work from home or use your home office daily, it might be difficult to keep it looking tidy, but a cluttered desk and overflowing file drawers will distract the buyer. Remove as much clutter and paperwork as possible from all workspaces.
48. Remove all unnecessary furniture and business-related machines that you do not use regularly.
Garage
49. Clear cobwebs and sweep the floor. If your garage floor has oil stains, try absorbing the oil with cat litter and scrubbing the stains with a degreaser to remove them.
50. The garage is usually where we hide all of the clutter we remove from the house so that it will show better, but buyers also like great garages, so our clutter-busting cannot stop here. Invest in storage shelves or cabinets, and neatly organize your belongings to show just how much storage space your garage offers.
51. If you use your garage as a space for hobbies or work, organize your tools and supplies, and move as much as possible out of sight in cabinets or drawers.
If you would like more suggestions on how best to prepare your home for a successful sale, ask your real estate agent to walk through your home with you and make recommendations. Realtors see homes for sale all the time and are privy to what buyers say and look for when they are viewing a home, so they will be able to make recommendations based on their experience and the specifics of your home.
