If you’ll be living in your home while it’s for sale, getting it ready for market can be a lot of work. But when it’s done right, the rewards can really pay off. When I preview a home of a seller client, I always give advice on what should be done to increase their chances of a selling at top dollar. I provide a customized checklist of recommended “to do’s” for their home, plus a listing calendar with key dates to help everyone stay on track.  But I also have some general home prep tips I always suggest. Following are my top tips for getting your home ready to sell. The more items you can tackle on this list the better…because a clean, tidy and organized home is the “key” to a sold home!

Declutter, Deodorize, Sanitize, Organize

• Remove most items from kitchen counters (blenders, coffee maker, block of knives, toaster, etc.). Add a new wood cutting board, a bowl of fresh fruit, an herb plant.
• Remove clutter from bathroom counters (tooth brush holder, used bar of soap, make up, kids soap dispensers, etc.). Add a simple tray with a pretty soap dispenser, flowers and a candle. Buy new white towels.  Put away bath mats and tub toys.
• Remove smoke odor, pet odors and pet stains. Replace worn out door mats.
• Give your home a deep clean or have it professionally cleaned.
• Wipe down inside and outside of all appliances…oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher.
• Clean out and organize closets. If closets are too packed, it will appear storage is an issue in your home.
• If you need a professional organizer to help you declutter, let me know. I know several great ones to help you!
• Add fresh seasonal flowers or greenery to a coffee table, a nightstand, or bathroom counter.

Personal items

• Remove personal photos, objects, sentimental or valuable items.  It’s best to de-personalize a home so buyers can envision living there.
• Take away (or lock up) prescription meds, financial papers and electronic devices—ipads, ipods, laptops, portable speakers, etc
• Think your home feels too bare after you removed all your personal items?  Have a stager or interior stylist come in and style your home. I happen to be both, but I also know many great colleagues who offer staging & styling services if I’m not available.

Home Improvement

• Make sure all the doors, windows, cabinet doors, etc. are in working order. No broken windowpanes, doors falling off hinges, or missing hardware.
• Paint can make a huge difference. It instantly updates a home and is worth the investment, especially if the existing paint is dated or in bad shape. If picking out a new paint color is overwhelming, I can help. I’m a certified paint consultant and I’ll pick the perfect color for your house. Paint Consultation.
• Changing out light fixtures is an easy way to update any room—especially the kitchen, dining room and bathrooms fixtures.  Light fixtures can be stylish yet inexpensive. I’m happy to recommend a few options.
• Cleaning the windows is often overlooked but it makes such a big difference!  Consider having your windows professionally cleaned inside and out.
• Don’t forget the yard! Curb appeal is extremely important. Mow, edge, trim, weed, plant, fertilize.
• Lastly, buy a new porch mat. You don’t want potential buyers stepping on an old, soggy porch mat before they step into your home.