Top Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale PDF Print E-mail

Think of your house as a marketable commodity. Your goal is to get others to see it as heir potential home. If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property. The following tips will help minimize the amount of time your house stays on the market.


Realtor and Buyers
Everybody goes home happy!
  • Make Your Home Anonymous
    Put away family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs.

  • Uncluttering the House
    Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements. You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.

  • Repairs and Maintenance
    Make all necessary inexpensive repairs. Replace torn window screens, touch up scratched paint, check faucets and plumbing, recaulk bathrooms.

  • Check Doors and Windows
    Make sure doors and windows open and close smoothly. Oil squeaky hinges and adjust knobs and latches if necessary.

  • Odor Control
    Do not smoke in the house. Make sure litter boxes are cleaned regularly. Keep pets outdoors as much as possible. Periodically sprinkle carpet freshner.

  • Home Exterior and Landscaping
    Touch up worn paint and fix broken gutters. Prune bushes, trees and flowers. Add small amounts of seasonal color and keep lawn trimmed and edged. Remove toys and other clutter from backyard.

  • Front Entry
    Clean hardware, touch up paint and remove obstructions. Place a new exterior doormat with a friendly welcome message on it.
Always have a second party, like your real estate agent, walk the entire property looking for items that may have been missed. The goal is to sell the house!
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 August 2006 )