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Great Steps for Preparing Your Yardley Home to Sell

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Hearthside

 Every Yardley seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning, and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here is how to prep your house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable property.

Disassociate Yourself From Your Home.

Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold just like a box of cereal at the grocery store.” Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours. Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners.

De-Personalize It.

Pack up your personal photographs and family heirlooms. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there. You don't want to make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to say, "I can see myself living here."

De-Clutter!

People collect an amazing amount of junk. Consider this: If you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.

  • If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?

  • Remove all books from bookcases.

  • Pack up those knickknacks.

  • Clean off everything on kitchen counters.

  • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.

Buyers love to snoop, and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if they sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well.

Rent a Storage Unit.

Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove items that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty of room to move around.

Remove/Replace Favorite Items.

If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, they won't want it. Once you tell a buyer they can't have an item, they'll covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.

Scrutinize.

Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense. Make sure window coverings hang level. Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz? Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.

Check Curb Appeal.If a buyer won't get out of their agent's car because they doesn't like the exterior of your home, you'll never get them inside.

What ideas do YOU have for prepping your Yardley area home for sale? Leave your comments below; I'd love to hear from you!

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