One of my favorite parts about helping my clients is preparing their home to go on the market! It’s important to take a good, honest look inside and outside of the home to create a list of what’s working and what’s not. It’s always best to get an outside perspective for the most objective list. If you feel overwhelmed, take it one step at a time and use this list as your guide.
- Clean the Baseboards
- Reduce Clutter
- Think Like a Buyer
- Make it Smell Good
- Brighten the Home
Clean the Baseboards
Baseboards that look dirty and full of dust bunnies give potential buyers the feeling that the home hasn’t been cleaned well, so they may assume it hasn’t been cared for. Cleaning the baseboards to remove all the dirt and dust goes a long way in making your home show really well! If the baseboards are scratched or banged up, you may want to add a fresh coat of paint. I promise you, this is one thing many sellers overlook that makes a big difference!
Reduce Clutter
This may seem obvious, but so many sellers don’t take the time to clear the clutter in their homes before listing. Clearing the clutter also makes it easier to show the home to potential buyers on short notice. I recommend removing all lotions and personal care products from bathroom countertops and keeping them tucked away under the cabinet. Pretty storage baskets or bins can help organize shoes, pet toys, mail and anything else that quickly clutters the home, making quick clean-up a breeze.
Think Like a Buyer
This one can be tough to do on your own, which is where an outside perspective comes in really handy. If you’re doing it yourself, use your imagination to pretend you’re not the owner and seller, but a potential buyer instead. Walk through the home and make a list of what you like and what you don’t. You’ll probably find the items on your list are either simple fixes or major updates. I love having this list to talk through and prioritize with my clients. It helps us make decisions about what changes to make to sell the house quickly! If you’d like to schedule a complimentary walkthrough of your home, just send me a message, here.
Make it Smell Good
You’ve probably attended an open house where the REALTOR® just baked fresh cookies and the house fills with the aroma of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies! Or maybe you’ve noticed the vanilla scents that greet you when you walk through one of the popular resort hotel/casinos in Las Vegas! Scent matters! Removing anything causing a bad odor is extremely important. Hiding a stinky smell with a candle usually doesn’t work. Once the home is clean, you might consider adding a diffuser with essential oils, or there are plug-ins available in a variety of scents. Personally, I recommend going with a food scent! Think warm apple pie, vanilla, sugar cookie, and the like.
Brighten the Home
When you create more light in your home, it automatically increases the visual openness! Push the curtains open wide or pull the blinds up to let more light in. When you do, make sure the windows are clean and the view from the window is appealing, or at least clean and tidy! You don’t want the windows open in the living area to show a cluttered patio! If your home doesn’t allow much natural light in, consider bringing in lamps or bright accents to brighten the space.
We’re already seeing a flurry of activity this year, with buyers getting ready to start their hunt. Don’t miss this window of opportunity, get your home ready to sell today! If you still feel overwhelmed, give us a call and we’ll walk you through the entire process!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prep a home to sell?
It depends on the condition of your home and how much you want to tackle. The five steps here can often be done in a weekend or two if you take them one at a time. Bigger updates like painting or repairs may add a week or more. The key is to start early so you’re not rushing right before your first showing.
What should I do first when getting my home ready to sell?
Start by decluttering. It costs nothing, makes every other step easier, and instantly makes your home feel larger and cleaner. Once the clutter is gone, you’ll have a much clearer view of what else needs attention.
Do I really need to paint my baseboards?
Not always! If your baseboards just need a good cleaning, that may be enough. But if they’re scratched, scuffed or banged up, a fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to make the whole room feel newer and better cared for.
What’s the best way to make my home smell good for a showing?
First, remove the source of any bad odors, since covering a smell rarely works. Once the home is clean, add a diffuser with essential oils or a plug-in in a warm, inviting scent. Food scents like apple pie, vanilla or sugar cookie tend to feel the most welcoming.
How do I “think like a buyer” if it’s my own home?
Walk through each room and imagine you’re seeing it for the first time as a shopper, not the owner. Make a list of what you like and what you don’t. If that feels hard to do on your own, an outside perspective helps a lot. I’m always happy to do a complimentary walkthrough and point out things you might not notice.
Does staging really help a home sell faster?
Yes! Simple prep like decluttering, brightening rooms and adding a pleasant scent helps buyers picture themselves living there, which can lead to faster offers. You don’t need to spend a fortune, small changes often make the biggest impact.
Can you help me get my home ready to sell?
Absolutely! That’s one of my favorite parts of the job. Give us a call or send a message and we’ll walk you through the entire process from prep to sold.
