Home Sale Prep in 5 Simple Steps

BOSTON - Sept. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Are you are thinking about putting your home on the market?  If so, preparation is key to achieving the highest possible sales price. Think of the last time you went to an open house. What were your first impressions?  Was the house clean and well-maintained?  What caught your attention for great features?  What turned you off?  It is important to put yourself in the buyer's shoes.  Take a walk through your own home and consider these points from a buyers' point of view.

1. Cleanliness and Clutter Your property should be spotless inside and out.  Start the de-cluttering process by prepacking.  Think about what you do not want to take with you.  Have a garage sale or donate items that you no longer need.  Pack up last season's clothes and store away in basement or attic. When the time comes to show your home, be mindful of pet/cooking odors.  Make sure the kitty litter box is clean and there are no "surprises" in the back yard.  Avoid cooking dishes that may have a strong odor. Don't forget about cleaning windows and making sure your yard looks great.

2. Simplicity  A potential buyer might have a different decorating style than you do so keep your decor simple.  Neutral colors are more appealing.  Less is more when it comes to furnishings so that new buyers can evaluate the space to see if their furniture will fit in your home.  Avoid distractions such as family photos or your college diploma.  You want buyers looking at your space not your belongings.

3. Lighting You want to make sure that you have the best possible lighting in each room.   All lights should be on for showings in case it is a gloomy day or getting dark out now that the days are getting shorter.  Soft lighting makes a space look bigger and more inviting.  Adding table or floor lamps is an easy fix to a dark room. Make sure all curtains, blinds and shutters are open to let in natural light.

4. Organization of Space Buyers want to see that there is ample space within their potential home.  Remove furniture that is not needed or makes the room looks crowded.   Organize your closets, basement and garage.  Each room should have a single purpose so that buyers can envision how they can use the space.  It can be difficult when a room is home to a file cabinet, a desk, a bed and a treadmill.

5. Curb Appeal Create an impression of cleanliness, simplicity and organization on the outside of your home. Be sure to trim the shrubs, weed the gardens, and keep the grass cut regularly.  Hide trash barrels, pick up the kids toys and arrange deck furniture so that it looks inviting.  When buyers arrive for a showing or open house and walk up to front your door, they have already started to form an opinion about your home. There is no second chance for a first impression!


For more information please visit www.LindaMossman.com