Everyone reads articles on preparing a house for sale. I think there is a problem with those articles. Most people don’t really see what they have. Have someone come to your home, like a good friend or close relative, who you think will be honest and direct and who you think has a good handle on the world of real estate presentations. Tell them to be brutally honest about what to keep, throw away, give away, or store.
Most homeowners love what they have done to their homes. And they are also color blind. So if they’re told to depersonalize, reduce clutter, or whatever advice comes their way, they’ll ignore it, unless they’re that weirdo who can take off those rose-colored glasses and really “see” their home like everyone else does. . .
So get your person or people (two advisers are often better than one) and walk around your house with a pad and pen, taking notes as you go. And start with the exterior if you live in a townhome or single-family home. Otherwise, start at your front door.
Noticing as you go, is the door clean? Does the knocker or bell work? Is it your shoes/umbrellas, things that litter the hall? What’s on the kitchen counters and around the sink? Put everything including sponges, soap dispensers, picture on the fridge, anything on top of the fridge or stove. Leave your coffee maker and other appliance outside. Flowers or a pot look pretty on the counter. Maybe one more accessory like a teapot. There are also no dish towels hanging on the front of the oven. You understand me? You have to be brutal. If you hardly ever use it, box it up or throw it away or give it away. Then start cleaning. Everything must shine. Floors, windows, furniture, accessories, everything! Too much furniture in the room. Again, remove it and don’t put it in a garage or basement. Move out of property. Remember, less is more. If you’re debating a particular topic, remember this little adage: when in doubt, move it.
Now look at your walls and floors. If you have wallpaper, chances are no one will like it. Remove it and paint the walls a warm beige. If the rug isn’t a neutral color, change it up. If the carpet is stained, replace it. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Your goal is to make it look good. Don’t worry that it won’t hold up to normal wear and tear. Your buyer will probably change everything anyway, and will probably start with the things they liked best!
If it’s broken, fix it. If the bulbs are burnt out, replace them. If the furniture is worn, cover it or throw it away. If you don’t take it with you, it leaves.
Now let’s talk about the bathrooms. Wallpaper? Again, not good. Remove it and paint it a neutral color. And don’t argue that you don’t like washed out, neutral colors. You move in anyway and neutral colors sell houses. Clean the counters. Hang up some pretty new towels, all in neutral colors. Change your shower curtain to a solid white or beige. Put one thing on the counter. Scrub the room from top to bottom. If something is broken, fix it or replace it. There should be nothing on the ground. Just the tile. There is no stock of toilet paper in a basket. There are no bottles of shampoo and conditioner on the bathtub ledge. Maybe a rubber duck if it’s nice and clean. No sponges, no cleaners. And there is no black mold in the grout where the tub meets the wall. Use bleach to clean it, lots and lots of bleach.
Let’s talk about the bedrooms. If you have floral bedspreads, unless they’re really neutral, change them up. If you have a bunch of cushions lying on your bed, save most of them. Clear out nightstands and dressers. Just a lamp, a phone, and maybe a watch. No books, no magazines, no pretty accessories… unless you have a pretty big nightstand. Same deal with the wallpaper. Neutral paint again. No baskets. no scrap No piles of books. Clean out the cabinets. There should be nothing on the ground. Give away the clothes, shoes and bags that you no longer use. Pack up seasonal items and hide them under the bed. Put the remaining clothes on nice plastic hangers, not wire ones. Leave space between each hanger. Shoes on the shelf neatly please. Bags there too. All like soldiers lined up in a row.
If you have children, their toys should go in baskets. The slippers must be in the closet. Dresser tops should be transparent. The rooms should be almost empty because the children’s rooms are usually much smaller than the main room and all those things lying around will make those rooms seem smaller than they really are.
If you have a den or family room, you’ll probably have a lot going on there, too. Coffee and side tables should be nearly empty. People often place furniture with the television as the focal point. Many times, this is not the best furniture arrangement to show off the room. No one will notice that the TV is not in the best viewing position. Your goal is to make the room look as big as possible.
When your real estate agent calls to say there is a showing, leave the house. Take the dog and cat if you can. Don’t forget the kids and your mom. No one should be home. If you can’t leave, then the rule is: don’t talk to anyone. Maybe nod. Don’t follow them either. Sit outside if possible. Go for a walk. If you absolutely can’t leave, squeeze into a corner and be as discreet as possible. Pretend you are Casper the Ghost. Don’t eat or drink either. Stay out of the kitchen. And definitely don’t cook anything. It will make the house smell and buyers don’t like smells, just nice soft scents.
It’s better if it’s not there because it will make buyers uncomfortable. They’ll be so busy trying to avoid you, trying to keep their voices low that they may not give your house the attention it deserves. You may think it’s a good idea to be home so you can answer any questions the Buyers may have. Trust me, you are wrong. If there are questions that the real estate agent cannot answer, there are phones in use today. The realtor will call the listing agent to get answers.
Let’s talk about values. If you have things that you value, such as jewelry, coins, cameras, knick-knacks, put them away or pack them up. hide them. Don’t leave anything lying around that might tempt someone. And while we’re talking, pack up all your family photos. To the last.
I think you’re getting the idea now. That you simply do not decide to put the house for sale. Most sellers need to do a lot of preparation to get their property in the best possible condition. If you do it right, you will sell your property quickly and for more money. The rule of thumb is, “the faster you sell it, the more money you’ll get for it.” So reserve as much time as you need to do this preparation the right way. Then you can collect that extra money that your property can produce and get on with your life. Trust me, it’s not fun to show properties. Do what you have to do before and then you will go to the bank, with the fullest wallet.
