Pre-listing Prep!
There are a few key things to remember when you are preparing to list your home. I have narrowed down the list to a few things that will give you the most value with the least amount of work.
1. Start outside. Look at your home with fresh eyes. What do you see? How does your home line up with the others in your neighborhood. Are the flower beds overgrown? Do you need fresh mulch? Do you have any dead branches? Is the lawn green and freshly mowed? What a potential buyer sees when they first arrive is going to set the stage. Remember, a good first impression goes a long way.
2. Walking into the home. What is the first room a buyer will walk into? Make sure there is no clutter. Your goal is to sell this home, so start packing away as much as you can into boxes and storage. Clear off countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. If you have a small bathroom vanity and it is cluttered with soaps, toothpaste, brushes, towels etc...it will draw attention to the fact that it is a small space.
3. How does it smell? This question may sound harsh...but if you have pets, make sure it is not known simply by smell alone. A good deep cleaning prior to listing will go a long way!
4. Minor maintenance and fresh paint. Do all appliances work? Are there any light bulbs that need to be replaced? Are there obvious signs of age? Simply updating light fixtures and painting rooms in a neutral colors are some of th best things a home owner can do to prep a home for a listing.
