Clean:

The first and most important part of preparing your home is to clean!  Consider this: Your photographs are your first impression, and the cleanliness will leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. Move things you haven’t moved before and clean all of the nooks and crannies you don’t normally get to.  Don’t just tidy up, buyers will notice. 

Don’t have time? Hire a professional cleaner for a true deep clean.

Declutter:

Show your home, not your stuff.  Storage sells!  Show buyers the potential of all the storage areas in the home. You may need to ask a friend to house your items or rent a storage space, but it will be worth it!  And don’t just hide it- because I can promise you, buyers will look in that junk drawer or stuffed closet!  Nothing is off limits. It may be your home, but they are wondering if it can become their own.

Keep the Pets Away:

Pets are family, but they are your family- not your prospective buyer’s.  First, remove telltale signs of pets before a showing such as food bowls, litter boxes, and pet toys and put them in the garage or shed.  And lastly, and maybe most importantly, make sure your home is free of pet smells and fur that often come with these lovable furry friends!  While you may be accustomed to it, a fresh nose or eye during a showing will not be- and that first impression could disappear. 

Make it feel like home:

Less is more. Remove items, move furniture around if needed to create better traffic flow. Arrange furniture in conversation areas that frame outside views rather than obstruct them.

Empty out the space. Try to make sure rooms like bedrooms and offices have no more than three pieces of large furniture- a bed, a nightstand, and maybe a dresser. That’s it!

After you declutter, carefully stage items such as books, flowers/plants, wine, candles, and lights.  Make it clean, but make it look lived in.  Help the buyer picture themselves living there. 

Give it a fresh coat! Stick with paint neutrals as much as possible. Just a few coats of paint can transform a space and give it a modern feel.

Let the light in:

Most buyers want to see that a home has plenty of natural light. Open the blinds and drapes even on that room that you like to keep dark!  If there is an unattractive view, you can hide it with a sheer window covering that still allows light in.

Depersonalize:

Now is not the time to be sentimental. Your goal is to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. This is one time where it really isn’t personal; its business!   Make spaces gender neutral to broaden the appeal.