What should I do before I sell my Alameda home?

What should I do before I sell my Alameda home?

Alameda sellers often ask what should be done to prepare their homes for a sale.  There are many things they may do, however I have noted the things that are most essential for a seller to do before they sell their Alameda home.

• Curb appeal:  Make the buyer’s first impression of your home a good one.   Your home should be inviting and that’s what curb appeal is about.  Make sure your yard is trim and neat and your lawn is lush and green.  Plant lots of colorful flowers and bushes in the yard. Tidy the front porch and create a cozy seating area. Just remember curb appeal equals enticing the buyers in to see the house.

• Paint:  Paint inside and out if the paint is washout, peeling or just plain ugly.  Paint inside and outside the home with pleasant neutral colors.  No red paint in the dining room.  Buyers want a home that won’t need to be completely repainted.

• Declutter:  Remove anything personal including family pictures.  Get rid of the stacks of papers you may have in every room.  Counters and surfaces should be cleared of everything, except for fresh flowers.  Go through all your closets and donate or store any items you are no longer using.  Buyer want space, make your home look spacious.

• Clean:  Everything should be spotless.  That includes the windows, inside and out, the fireplace, tile and grout in kitchen and bathrooms.  Everything should be “squeaky clean”.  

• Repairs:  Repair anything that isn’t working properly, such as the leaky faucet in the kitchen or the creaking door in the dining room, the light switch in the bedroom.  Those minor repairs won’t costs much but they will make the home look cared for.  If there are minor appliance repairs needed, hire a handyman to fix them.

• Lighting:  Proper lighting enhances a home’s appearance and makes it glow.  Replace all old fixtures and burned out bulbs.  

• Smells:  Yes, smells.  Sellers have to deal with unpleasant smells.  If there are pets in the family, you may not notice the odor, but visitors will.  Clean or replace soiled carpets and other affected areas.  Change the litter box frequently.  The smell may be a musty odor, which may mean mildew or mold.  A property inspection or pest control inspection may help determine the source of the musty smell.  

• Organize your closets and kitchen cabinets:  Neatness counts.  Buyers like to see well organized closets and cabinets.  They think that since everything has a place there is plenty of space for all their belongings.  Don’t forget the basement and garage.  A neat and spacious looking garage and basement go a long way to show buyers all the extra space the home has.

If you are considering selling your home I can advise you about preparing your home for a sale.  I will give you my analysis of what  you can do to make your home look inviting.  Visit me at Living in Alameda or text or call me at 510-504-5612.