So you have decided to move? And, you need to put your home on the market?
First things first. It now is no longer your home. It is a property that you have decided to sell.
There is a big difference. And, as you move through the process, you will see how the difference makes a BIG DIFFERENCE.
First you need to go through your home and look at it. Then, you need to look at each room. What IS and what SHOULD BE the function of that room? Are you using the dining room as an office? Is the living room a jumble of toys and media? Does the kitchen function as a kitchen or is it the gathering spot for family and pets?
Now, in a week or less, you will put this “house” on the market. You need to do the following to make it easy for others to imagine themselves living here:
The mail: Keep it filed or toss it.
Set up a spot to keep extra coats, boots, pet food and toys well away from the front door.
Organize the kitchen. Make sure that the refrigerator and freezer are sparkling clean and free from odors. Clean under the sink. Make sure the dishwasher is deodorized and sparkling. If you have a pantry, make sure that it is organized and clean. You want people to think that there is plenty of room for their things, so pare down, pack or recycle or toss things that make it appeared cluttered. Do you need the pizza oven in the kitchen? No, not now.
Closets: The next thing people look at is “Is there enough space for my things?” Make sure that out-of-season clothing is packed away and there are no extra hangers in your closets. Pare the shoe collection down to three or four pairs for each person and pack the rest away for the time being. You want there to be extra space….for them, for guests, for you!
Bathrooms: Yes, there are things that need space in there…but, contain as much as you can in appropriate containers that don’t scream diapers, sanitary napkins and tampons, or condoms. Make some space without having all the hygiene items out in the open, too.
There are many ways to still have your things available without having it in the eyes of potential buyers.
Bedrooms: Bedrooms are for sleeping. Make sure that your master bedroom seems serene. Clean under the beds….Take each room and vacuum everything. Dust all surfaces. And add some scent that is pleasing such as vanilla or lavender. The kids’ bedrooms need to be neat and tidy, and toys need to be picked up and stored each and every day.
Pets: This is a tough call, but most oftentimes, pets will need to be crated all day in case of a showing. Hopefully, you will have the home sold soon, and they will be able to be the carefree pets they once were. If you have cats, make sure the litter box is cleaned each day, and that the litter is stored in a place that isn’t readily seen by the potential buyer(s).
Living Room, Den or Family Room: Yes, you are still living here, but do your best to see that all the media is organized…there aren’t cords hanging everywhere. Vacuum each morning, clean up the toys, papers and extraneous items and toss them in a box if need be. But, do your best to find a spot that those can’t be seen either….space, space, space!
The Front Door and Entry: Make this most inviting. If you can, put something seasonal either at the front door or inside the entry. Add some cinnamon-scented or apple-scented deodorizers and make sure that there is a CLEAN mat for people to remove their shoes and perhaps a bench. You can add a sign saying that they are welcome and that you appreciate their visit, too. If you add treats in the kitchen or foyer, please tell guests that they are welcome to them. Don’t add drinks which can be spilled on carpets, but do add napkins!
I will add some other tips as the year progresses, but this should be a leg up on your competition in the home-selling arena for now.
Best to you all in 2014…..and may you be in your new home SOON!
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