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47 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Sell Faster!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Harvest Realty Group, LLC

Suggestions and ideas to improve your home’s appearance and help you prepare to sell it faster!

Throughout the House 

  • Open the draperies, pull up the shades and let in the sunlight.
  • Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly.
  • Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.
  • If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.
  • Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times.
  • Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well.
  • Have a family “game plan” to get the home in order quickly if necessary .
  • Air out your home for one-half hour before showing, if possible.
  • Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
  • Put family photos in storage.
  • Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.
  • Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture.
  • Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls.
  • Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.
  • Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.
  • Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home.
  • Wash all windows inside and out.
  • Use plants in transitional areas of your home.
  • Make the most of your attic’s potential.
  • Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.
  • Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc.
  • Remove all smoke and pet odors.
  • Repair or replace banisters and handrails.

In the Kitchen

  • Microwave a small dish of vanilla 20 minutes before a showing and place it in an out-of-the way place.
  • Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner.
  • The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean.
  • Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.

In the Bedrooms

  • Create a master suite effect in your decorating.
  • Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme.
  • Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean.
  • Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.

In the Bedrooms

  • Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use.
  • Re-caulk the tub it the caulk is not sparkling white.
  • Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.
  • Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
  • Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.

Outside Area

  • Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times.
  • Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway and patio.
  • Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture and trash from the yard.
  • Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept and in good condition.
  • Paint all entrance doors.
  • Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary.
  • Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers etc.).
  • Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.
  • Use a new doormat.
  • Be sure the front doorbell is in good working order.
  • Be sure the front door and screen door works perfectly.

Become a Market Insider in Jupiter, Florida

For more home selling and marketing tips, call Joby Slay, MBA at 561-667-4171.

Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Joby: Common sense ideas presented in a thoughtful way. Suggested!

Jul 26, 2011 08:13 AM
Joby Slay
Harvest Realty Group, LLC - Jupiter, FL
MBA

Thanks Anne, I appreciate the feedback.

Jul 26, 2011 09:22 AM