How to Prepare Your Parent's Home for Sale.

Staging Tips to Sell Your Parent’s Home

Many of my calls are concerning the staging of an older parent’s home before they sell it.  Here in Palm Beach County, we are blessed to have many seniors who have chosen our beaches and community to fit their retirement lifestyle.

When it’s time to make a move, there are things that you can do to help with the sale of your parent’s home, make it as easy for them as possible and maximize their investment.

What is important to remember is that perceived value is the key to maximizing the investment your parents have made in their home.

Here are 9 tips that you can do to help prepare your parent’s home for sale.

1.Hire the best agent.

This begins with hiring the most professional local agent that you can...then listen to them.

This is especially important if you do not live in the area.  You will need someone who is knowledgeable about the local market...what the home values are and what is important to the buyers for your parent’s property.

2.Hire a Stager

Don’t wait until the day before your Open House!  A Stager can help you determine what to keep so the home will show well and make recommendations regarding the condition and appearance of the home.

3.Clean it!

If you have to hire professionals, then do so.  You’ll want to make sure that everything is clean and not just a surface clean either. Your parents may have neglected some of the areas that are hard to reach or not easy for them to handle, such as the oven, tops of cabinets and shelves, behind things, windows, closets.  

4.Pack it up!

If there are treasures to be given out to family members, this is the time to pack them up and remove them.

However, consult with a home stager before you remove all of the furniture.  Some of your parent’s furnishings can be used to help show the home and will save you the expense of renting pieces.

If you wish to donate some of the items there are local agencies, such as Faith Farm in Boynton Beach, who would welcome them.

Room Service Home Staging can also put you in contact with a local company who specializes in helping to pack, organize, and sell your items.

5.Make repairs and address deferred maintenance issues.

Remember that condition is key.  Any offer that will be made will be based on the condition of the home as the buyer sees it.  

You may not want to put money into a home that your parents will no longer live in but look at it as an investment in getting it sold for as much as you can.

6.Paint and remove old wallpaper.

Investing in a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective things you can do, especially if the color is one that is buyer friendly. Consult with your stager first because turning the walls all white does nothing to add to the warmth of the home.

7.Take down the mirrored wall!

If your parent’s home was built in the 70’s-80’s, chances are there is one wall that is all mirrors.  Hire a professional and have the mirrors removed!  The same goes for old wood paneling and popcorn ceilings!

Not only does this scream OLD to a buyer but it also makes them do a mental calculation of what it will cost to do this themselves.  And, it’s  not just the dollar cost but the cost in time.

8.Look at the flooring

Old or stained carpeting needs to be replaced.  Cracked tiles should be replaced as well.

9.Bring in the light.

Besides making sure all of the windows get a good cleaning, remove any heavy or outdated window coverings as well. We’re in Florida and buyers want to see the sun!

If it’s time to prepare your parent’s home for sale, give me a call and ask for our tailored-for-you Home Staging Consultation.