Here Are Some Ways To Prepare To Sell A Home Fast

To sell a home fast, consider getting a home inspection and completing some of the repairs yourself prior to listing the home on the market. Fewer buyers are willing to purchase a home without hiring an inspector and requesting repairs by the homeowner. Sellers who wait for the buyer to hire an inspector put themselves at a disadvantage by opening up an opportunity for the buyer to negotiate repairs or a price reduction in lieu of repairs. Some buyers use an inspector in the inspection period as a re-negotiation tool. Here’s a seller’s opportunity to minimize or even eliminate re-negotiation. Most buyers are not required to hire a home inspector so, by providing them one, they may opt to save the money they would have spent on one and waive hiring an inspector. Sellers who offer their home in top condition with proof of an inspection and repair receipts often avoid renegotiation and sell their home for top dollar.

We start preparing a home to sell with what some call, “Staging” the home.

Throughout The Entire House

1. Open all window coverings and let in the natural light.
2. Install bright bulbs and turn on all lights. Yes, even during the day. Make sure bulbs and light fixtures are clean.
3. Clean all ceiling fans and turn them on for each showing.
4. Clean all vents and keep a clean air filter.
5. Remove clutter from each room.
6. If you have a fireplace, highlight it with some decorating. ie: candles or other subtleties. No collectibles or clutter.
7. Keep your home vacuumed and dusted at all times.
8. Have a family “game plan” to tidy up the home quickly, just in case.
9. Lightly spray an air freshener so it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
10. Air out your home for at least a half hour before a showing. Airing out the home for at least 30 minutes per day is even better, if possible.
11. Pack up all personal photos so buyers spend more time picturing themselves in the home rather than you.
12. Remove unnecessary furniture to improve traffic flow and create a more spacious feeling.
13. Patch up and paint nail holes, cracks and any other mishaps in the walls.
14. Paint all interior walls a light neutral color to brighten the home.
15. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.
16. Wash all windows inside and outside.
17. Use real or clean faux plants in transitional areas.
18. Remove or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.
19. Open doors to areas you want buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries and other storage spaces.
20. Remove all smoke and pet odors. Don’t trust your own nose to detect if it’s gone.
21. If carpet doesn’t clean up well, replace it.
22. Repair or replace, clean and/or repaint banisters and handrails.
23. Clean and shine all hardware. (door knobs, faucets, lamps, etc…)

 In The Kitchen

1. Microwave a small dish of vanilla 20 minutes before a showing or put 2 caps full in the oven for an hour at 350°. Leave in oven during showing.
2. Set the table for dinner.
3. The kitchen should always be spotless and clean.
4. Remove all small appliances from countertops.

In The Bedrooms

1. Depersonalize and decorate in a neutral scheme.
2. Make sure all beds are made and linens clean or at least without stains and sprayed with freshener.
3. Organize your closets. Remove unnecessary items and if you can’t put them in an offsite storage, pack and store in an organized fashion.

In The Bathrooms

1. Do not leave used towels around.
2. Wipe down sinks and shower areas after each use.
3. Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white.
4. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.
5. Keep shower curtains clean.
6. Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps

Outside

1. Keep the lawn mowed, weeds pulled and gravel raked at all times. (You may even consider overlapping this duty into the next door neighbor’s front yard if it’s an eyesore distracting from your home)
2. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway and patio areas.
3. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture and trash from the yard.
4. De-clutter porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house.
5. Clean and/or paint all entrance doors. Make sure they open and close smoothly.
6. Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary.
7. Clean and shine all hardware. (door knobs, knockers, lamps, address numbers, etc…)

Staging the home will definitely help sell a home fast and for top dollar, however, it’s not the only important factor in preparing to sell a home fast. Pricing a home to sell is a MUST.

Learn More On Pricing…  What’s My Home Worth?