• Deep clean the home, declutter, depersonalize, and dust all surfaces to make your home shine before selling.
• Invest in minor updates and repairs such as touch-up paint, replacing fixtures, patching wall holes, and refreshing curb appeal.
• Take time to depersonalize each room, organize closets and cabinets, and power-wash exterior surfaces.
• Plant fresh flowers and add new mulch to your landscaping beds for an easy way to spruce up the landscaping.
If you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, there are a few key things you can do to make sure it looks its best and stands out from the rest. A few small investments of time and money can go a long way when prepping your home for sale. Here are some quick fixes to help you get top dollar for your house.
Deep Cleaning
Cleanliness is one of the most important elements of the presentation. It’s an investment of time and effort that pays off big. While cleaning isn’t a huge financial investment, it does require elbow grease, so be sure to set aside enough time for this task before putting your house on the market. Here are ways to give your property a deep clean:
Declutter and Depersonalize
The old adage “less is more” is especially true when prepping a house for sale. Buyers must be able to imagine themselves living in your home—which is hard when they see too much of your personal belongings or décor style.
Take some time to depersonalize each room by taking down family photos or sentimental items so that potential buyers have less distraction from focusing on the features and amenities of the space itself. Additionally, decluttering helps create an impression of more space throughout each room, so keep this in mind when deciding what stays and what goes before listing your home for sale.
Dust All Surfaces
Be sure to dust all surfaces—including ceiling fans—and clean baseboards, windowsills, and other forgotten nooks and crannies. You can use a vacuum cleaner and/or a soft rag to dust surfaces, but wear gloves if using an abrasive cleaner. Ensure you also wear a dust mask to not breathe any dust.
Clean Out Closets and Cabinets
Potential buyers may look in closets, cabinets, and other storage spaces to gauge how much room there is for their belongings. That’s why ensuring these areas are neat and orderly is important. Clean out closets, cabinets, and other storage spaces to create an impression of plenty of room for the buyer’s belongings. Eliminate closet clutters such as excess clothing, shoes, and junk. Organizing items in the closets or cabinets is also a good idea so they look neat and presentable.
Invest in Minor Updates and Repairs
You may think it’s a good idea to do some major remodeling before selling, but chances are it won’t be worth the money. Instead, focus on small repairs and updates that can greatly impact buyers’ perception of your home. This could include the following:
Touch-Up Paint
A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to sprucing up your home. Focus on freshening up areas with visible wear and tear, such as door frames, baseboards, windowsills, and handrails. Make sure the new paint matches existing colors; don’t be tempted to repaint an entire room just for the sake of doing so.
Update Fixtures
Old, worn-out fixtures can instantly date a room. Replace outdated doorknobs and drawer pulls with modern ones for an instant lift. If you have plastic switch plates or light fixtures around the house, consider replacing them with metal or ceramic versions.
Patch Holes in Walls
These may go unnoticeable, especially when covered by furniture, but you can bet potential buyers will spot them. Use a spackle to fill in any holes and then paint over them with a matching color. Unpatched holes may lead to bigger issues, such as mold, so patch them before listing your home.
Refresh Your Curb Appeal
The first impression of your house usually starts from the outside. Buyers will likely drive by it or quickly peek at the yard before booking a showing. Take some time to spruce up the outside of your home. Start by doing the following:
- Replace the garage door: Garage doors are often the first thing people notice when driving home. Consider replacing it with a more modern version, such as eco-friendly insulated models and overhead door systems, to make it more efficient and attractive.
- Power-wash exterior surfaces: Power washing is inexpensive to make siding, decks, and pathways look brand new. It removes dirt and grime, giving your home a fresh, clean look that will impress potential buyers.
- Update landscaping: If you have a green thumb, consider planting fresh flowers and adding new mulch to your landscaping beds. It’s an easy way to spruce up the outside of your home without breaking the bank.
Selling your home is a big decision and takes preparation. Taking the time to make sure it looks its best can help you get top dollar for your house. Follow these steps to make your home shine before putting it up for sale. With these tips, you’ll be one step closer to getting the offer of your dreams.
