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Getting Your Home Ready for Sale (while living in it)

April 8, 2023

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.

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