Residential & Commercial Real Estate
Organize, de-clutter and pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway. You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here." Consider this: if you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.
- Remove all books from bookcases and pack up those knickknacks.
- Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
- Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
- Organize closets by hang shirts together and lining up shoes.
- Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways.
- Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger.
If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, they won't want it.
Make the house sparkle, make minor repairs and don’t forget curb appeal.
- Make minor repairs; replace cracked floor or counter tiles; patch holes in walls; fix leaky faucets.
- Consider painting your walls neutral colors.
- Replace burned-out light bulbs.
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
- Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks. Bleach dingy grout.
- Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
- Vacuum daily.
- Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
- Replace worn rugs, window coverings, towels and bed coverings.
- Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
- Remove any evidence of a pet (smells, hair, toys) and clean the litter box daily.
- Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
- Check Curb Appeal.
- Keep the sidewalks cleared.
- Mow the lawn.
- Paint faded window trim.
- Trim your bushes.
- Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.